Sonjuk Bridge

Sonjuk bridge in 2012 in Kaesong, North Korea
Sonjuk Bridge
Chosŏn'gŭl
선죽교
Hancha
Revised RomanizationSeonjukgyo
McCune–ReischauerSŏnjukkyo

Sŏnjuk Bridge is a Koryo-dynasty stone bridge located in Kaesong, North Korea. Built in 1290, it is famous as the place where famed Confucian scholar and statesman Chŏng Mong-ju was assassinated, allegedly on the orders of the Yi Pang-wŏn, son of the first king of the Joseon Dynasty, Yi Sŏng-gye.[1] It is also the bridge on which the forces of Yi Bang-won (later King Taejong) confronted the forces of Yi Bang-gan during the Second Princes' Rebellion.

The bridge was closed to all traffic in 1780 and has since been a national monument.

It is 8.35m long and 3.36m wide. It was originally named the Sonji Bridge, but was renamed Sonjuk Bridge after the assassination of Chŏng Mong-ju because bamboo grew where he was killed (juk being the Korean word for bamboo).[2]

  1. ^ 황, 학주, "선죽교 (善竹橋) Seonjuk Bridge", 한국민족문화대백과사전 (in Korean), Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-03-24
  2. ^ KCNA (2003–2014). World Cultural Heritage-Historical Relics in Kaesong. Korea Computer Center in DPRKorea & Foreign Languages Publishing House. Event occurs at 07:51. Retrieved July 12, 2014.