Pillar of power

Name: Stele honoring the expedition of King Jinheung

Period: Silla Dynasty, circa 555

Location: National Museum of Korea

Status: National Treasure No. 3

The Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.-935) prospered in the middle of the sixth century. King Jinheung had expanded his kingdom immensely and provided a solid land basis for the unification of the Three Kingdoms - Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The king surveyed the newly acquired territory and wanted to commemorate his achievements by setting up a marker signifying his reign and the power of the dynasty. The stele was erected on Mount Bukhan around the year 555.

The stele scholar Kim Jeong-hui identified the purpose of this monument in 1816, an act that is also recorded on the side of the stone.

*The photos and text for Treasure Trove are provided by the National Museum of Korea. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr