Key takeaways
In 1904, Lady Min — wife of Crown Prince Yi Cheok, who would later become Emperor Sunjong of the short-lived Korean Empire — died, and her memorial tomb, Yugangwon, was built on the site of today's Neung-dong in Gwangjin-gu. Fact The surrounding area came to be known locally as "Neunggol" ("Tomb Hollow"), divided into three small villages centered on a memorial shrine within it. Fact In 1907, Lady Min was posthumously honored with the title Empress Sunmyeonghyo. Fact
When Emperor Sunjong died in 1926, his tomb was built next to Hongneung in what is now Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, and Empress Sunmyeonghyo's remains were moved there as well, to be buried together with him. Fact This left Yugangwon as an empty tomb site with no remains inside.
What to look for on site
- The royal memory embedded in the Chinese-character place name "Neung-dong" (陵洞, "tomb neighborhood")
- The route the remains traveled, from Yugangwon to the joint tomb at Hongneung-Yureung
- The old village structure once known as "Tomb Hollow"
Editorial note
It's inaccurate to say "there's still a royal tomb in Neung-dong today." Be precise: the remains were relocated, and only the place name and some stone statues remain.