Jeon Gyeon-hwon Tomb

Located in Geumgok-ri, Yeonmu-eup, Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do, this tomb is traditionally said to be that of Gyeon Hwon (甄萱, 867–935), founder of Later Baekje. Gyeon Hwon's original surname was Yi; he was a native of Sangju and is said to have been the son of the Silla general Yi Ja-gae. When Queen Jinseong of Silla came to the throne, the abuses of certain officials threw the government into disorder, and a severe famine deepened the people's resentment, giving rise to widespread uprisings. At this time Gyeon Hwon attacked the prefectures southwest of Gyeongju, and wherever he went the people rallied to him. In the sixth year of Queen Jinseong's reign (892) he finally occupied Mujinju (present-day Gwangju) and proclaimed himself king. He later made Wansanju (present-day Jeonju) his capital, founded Later Baekje, and ruled it for more than forty years. He died at Hwangsan Bulsa (黃酸佛寺) in 936, the 19th year of King Taejo of Goryeo. As he lay dying, he is said to have expressed longing for Wansan in Jeonju, and so was buried facing towards it. The Samguk sagi records that, overcome with worry, he developed an abscess on his back and died at a temple in Hwangsan, while the Dongguk yeoji seungnam records that Gyeon Hwon's tomb lies 12 ri south of Eunjin-hyeon in Punggye-chon, and is commonly known as the "King's Tomb." Before the large burial mound stands only a stone monument erected by the Gyeon clan in 1970; there are no other structures nearby. To the south, the hills behind Jeonju, some 70 ri away, are clearly visible.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Nonsan, Chungnam

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물