Jangwigong Seo Hui Tomb, Yeoju

This is the tomb of Jangwigong Seo Hui (徐熙, 942–998), a diplomat and civil official of the early Goryeo period. In 973, the 12th year of King Seongjong, when the Khitan invaded with an army of 800,000 men and crossed the Amnok (Yalu) River, Seo Hui negotiated with the Khitan general So Son-nyeong, arguing that Goryeo was the successor to Goguryeo, and thereby persuaded the Khitan forces to withdraw without bloodshed. The tomb takes the form of a ssangbun (a pair of mounds), with Seo Hui buried together with his wife. The mounds are large and rectangular, each protected at the base by a two-tiered border stone. The tomb precinct is divided into three terraced levels, separated by gyeche stones (flat, long boundary stones marking off the burial area), showing that this is a Goryeo-period tomb style. A single grave marker stands between the two mounds; it is of the wonsu-bangbu form, with a rounded headstone on a square base, and its inscription is written in large haeseo (standard) script. Stone lanterns originally stood in front of each memorial stone table, but the one on the front left was stolen, leaving only the lantern on the front right, which now carries two capstones stacked one on the other, a later alteration. There are two pairs of stone figures, arranged in order as civil officials followed by military officials. The civil official figures are in bokdu-gongbok form, holding a hol (ceremonial tablet), while the military official figures hold long swords. The military figures wear no armour but are dressed in jingnyeongpo robes, reflecting the style of the early fifteenth century. This tomb is significant as a surviving example that allows comparison with the burial customs of the Goryeo period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeoju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물