Taereung and Gangneung Royal Tombs [UNESCO World Heritage]

Taereung is the tomb of Queen Munjeong of the Yun clan (1501–1565), the third queen of King Jungjong (r. 1506–1544), the 11th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty. When Queen Munjeong passed away in 1565 (the 20th year of King Myeongjong's reign), her tomb was initially planned near King Jungjong's Jeongneung (靖陵) (called Sinjeongneung (新靖陵)), but due to King Myeongjong's opposition, the current site was chosen for Queen Munjeong's tomb and named Taereung. Originally, Queen Munjeong wished to be buried with her husband King Jungjong. She consulted with Bowoo, the head monk of Bongeunsa Temple at the time, and moved King Jungjong's tomb from its location next to Heereung, the tomb of his second queen Queen Janggyeong, to its current site, citing geomantic inauspiciousness. However, the relocated Jeongneung was situated on low ground, frequently suffering flood damage when it rained, so King Myeongjong decided to place his mother's tomb at its current location. According to the *Annals of King Seonjo*, during the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo's reign), Japanese forces attempted to loot Taereung and Gangneung, as well as Seolleung and Jeongneung, but failed.

Taereung was constructed according to the rites of the *Gukjo Oryeui* (National Five Rites). The burial mound is surrounded by stone screens (byeongpungseok) and railings (nanganseok). The stone screens are carved with cloud patterns and the Twelve Zodiacal Deities, with the twelve earthly branches inscribed in letters. Originally, inscribing the twelve earthly branches in letters was only applied when stone screens were omitted and only railings were installed, but starting with Taereung, it changed to carving both the Twelve Zodiacal Deities and the letters together. The stone figures, including civil and military officials (munseokin and museokin) and long-life lanterns (jangmyeongdeung), are larger than those at other Joseon royal tombs, reflecting the mid-Joseon style. Notably, the civil and military officials have earring holes in their earlobes, which is unique. The pavilion (jeongjagak) below the burial mound was destroyed during the Korean War and restored in 1994.