Chungheongong Kim Ku Burial Ground

A sindobi (spirit path stele) is a monument recording the lifetime achievements of a king or high official, erected before his tomb; this one honours the accomplishments of Kim Ku (1649–1704), who served as Right State Councillor under King Sukjong of Joseon. After passing the civil service examination in 1682, the 8th year of King Sukjong, Kim Ku served in the Office of the Inspector-General and the Office of the Censor-General, submitting numerous memorials on the political affairs of the day while also striving to ease the fierce factional strife between the Noron and Soron factions. He later rose to Daesagan (Director of the Censor-General) and, while serving as Pangyeolsa (head of the Office of Slave Administration), argued for the restoration of Nosan-gun, thereby restoring him as King Danjong; he also had the tomb of King Danjong's queen, Lady Song, elevated to royal-tomb status and oversaw the construction work involved. He went on to serve as Minister of Punishments, and in 1703, the 29th year of King Sukjong, became Right State Councillor. He served the king with loyalty and integrity, never bending to royal pressure, and conducted himself according to his convictions, earning both the king's favour and the people's respect; after his death he was given the posthumous title 'Chungheon.' The stele consists of a stele body set on a square base stone and topped with a roof stone. The roof stone is elaborately carved with dragons, phoenixes, fungus of immortality and clouds, contrasting with the plain, unadorned lower section. It was erected in 1743, the 19th year of King Yeongjo; the inscription was composed by Yi Ui-hyeon, who served as Chief State Councillor under King Yeongjo, and the calligraphy was written by Seo Myeong-gyun.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Songpa-gu, Seoul

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산