“Did the walls of Yeonghwiwon and Sunginwon ever witness such a crowd?” a visitor whispers. Yeonghwiwon and Sunginwon Royal Tombs, a resting place for royalty, stand before you. Designated as Historic Site No. 361 in 1991, these grounds hold stories of emperors, princes, and royal consorts. Yeonghwiwon cradles the remains of Princess Consort Sunheon, wife of King Gojong, the 26th Joseon Dynasty ruler. Nearby, Sunginwon shelters the young Crown Prince Yi Jin, grandson of King Gojong and Princess Consort Sunheon. Originally, this site was part of Hongneung, the tomb of Queen Myeongseong, King Gojong’s first wife. Her remains were moved to Namyangju in 1919. The grounds were then renamed Yeonghwiwon and Sunginwon. The tombs here are “won,” smaller than the “neung” reserved for kings and queens. This reflects the strict social hierarchy of the Joseon era. Princess Consort Sunheon’s life was one of dramatic turns. Entering the palace at five, she became a lady of Queen Myeongseong’s guard. At 32, she served King Gojong, arousing the queen’s wrath and leading to her expulsion. She returned after Queen Myeongseong’s assassination in 1895. She played a key role in the Agwanpacheon, helping King Gojong and the Crown Prince escape to the Russian legation. This sparked the Russo-Japanese War. Later, she gave birth to King Yeongchin, who was sent to Japan, and witnessed the Japanese annexation of Korea. Her tomb reflects her tumultuous life, a silent witness to a nation’s trials. Within Sunginwon lies Crown Prince Yi Jin, son of King Yeongchin. Forced to marry a Japanese princess, King Yeongchin’s son died young, adding another layer of sorrow to these grounds. Today, Yeonghwiwon and Sunginwon offer more than history. Their serene greenery and tranquil atmosphere invite quiet reflection. They stand as a testament to lives intertwined with a nation’s destiny, a poignant reminder of Korea’s royal past.
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