Tomb of King Sinmu

Tomb of King Sinmu, on a hill southeast of the old Silla capital in Dongbang-dong, Gyeongju, is the tomb of King Sinmu (r. 839), Silla's 45th monarch.

Born Kim U-jing, a cousin of King Huigang, he supported his father in the succession struggle that followed King Heungdeok's death, but lost and fled to Cheonghaejin. He later borrowed troops from Jang Bo-go to drive out King Minae and finally claim the throne — only to die of illness just three months into his reign. He is said to have been buried northwest of Jehyeong-sang. A short but dramatic royal life is compressed into this single tomb.