Tomb of Yi Gyeong-jik, Lord Hyomin

About this place

A spirit-path stele (sindobi) records the lifelong achievements of a king or high official and is erected to the southeast of his tomb; this stele honors Yi Gyeong-jik, a civil official of the mid-Joseon period. A disciple of Yi Hang-bok and Kim Jang-saeng, Yi Gyeong-jik began his official career at the Office of Diplomatic Correspondence under King Seonjo, served as governor of Ganghwa, and held various posts such as royal secretary and minister of taxation until he died of illness. In 1617 (9th year of Gwanghaegun) he went to Japan as a deputy envoy of a reply mission, and when Yi Gwal's rebellion broke out in 1642 (2nd year of Injo) he rendered great service as army commander of Jeolla. During the Manchu invasion of 1627 (5th year of Injo), as deputy minister of war, he negotiated with the Qing envoys and brought about a peace agreement. The stele consists of a body erected on a square base and topped with a roof stone, faithfully following the style of the time. Erected in 1668 (9th year of Hyeonjong), its inscription was composed by Kim Ryu and written by his third son Yi Jeong-yeong. It holds value worthy of historical and academic preservation, and the area around the tomb is an important source for studying the burial customs of the Joseon period. (Source: Korea Heritage Service)