Traditional Tomb of Gyeonhwon (Gyeonhwon Royal Tomb)

About this place

This tomb is traditionally said to be that of Gyeonhwon (甄萱; 867–935), founder of Later Baekje. Gyeonhwon's original surname was Yi (李); he was from Sangju and is said to have been the son of Silla general Yi Jagae. As Queen Jinseong of Silla ascended the throne, political order became disrupted by the machinations of certain officials, and famine grew severe, causing great resentment and uprisings among the people. Gyeonhwon attacked the western and southern prefectures of Gyeongju, and wherever he went, the people rallied to his cause. In the 6th year of Queen Jinseong's reign (892), he captured Mujin-ju (present-day Gwangju) and proclaimed himself king. He later established his capital at Wansan-ju (present-day Jeonju) and founded Later Baekje, ruling for over 40 years. In the 19th year of King Taejo of Goryeo (936), he died at the Hwangsan Buddhist temple. According to his dying words expressing his longing for Jeonju's Wansan, he was buried facing Wansan. Historical records indicate he died at a temple on Hwangsan, troubled by a large boil on his back. Other records note that his tomb is located in Punggyechon, about 12 ri south of Eunju-hyeon, and is commonly called 'Wangmyo' (Royal Tomb). Only a memorial stele erected in 1970 by the Gyeon family clan stands in front of the large burial mound, with no other facilities surrounding it, while the mountains of Jeonju are visible 70 ri to the south.