
Cherung Royal Tomb

The Cherŭng Royal Tomb is a 15th-century mausoleum located in Chi-dong, Kaepung-gun near Kaesong, North Korea. The site contains the body of Queen Sinui, first wife of Joseon dynasty founder Yi Songgye. Construction on the tombs began after her death in 1392; as she died before her husband overthrew the Goryeo dynasty to become king, she was buried at the Goryeo-era capital of Kaesong. After Yi took the throne, restyling himself as King Taejo, she was posthumously awarded the title of "queen". The burial mound is ringed with a carved granite base, while the "spirit road" leading to the tomb is lined with statues of military officers and Confucian officials.
Despite being the tomb of a Joseon monarch, the site was excluded from the World Heritage Site "Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty" as it is located in North Korea. It is one of only two royal tombs from that dynasty in the country; the other, Hurung, belongs to King Jongjong, who temporarily moved the capital back to Kaesong before abdicating.