The Desecration and Reburial Process of Seolleung and Jeongleung during the Imjin War

During the Imjin War, royal tombs Seolleung and Jeongleung were desecrated by Japanese forces, posing a severe threat to the legitimacy of the Joseon Dynasty. The study reveals that the Joseon court responded with a strategic reburial process, employing 'byeonrye' (unconventional rituals) to adapt to wartime constraints while preserving royal authority. Despite finding only bone ashes at Seolleung and an unidentified body at Jeongleung, the court meticulously verified the corpse's identity to avoid national humiliation. This process involved diplomatic gestures toward the Ming Dynasty and the execution of perpetrators to restore dignity. The reburial was not merely a restoration but a political act aimed at healing wartime scars and asserting dynastic continuity, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of Joseon royal rituals.

Shin, J.-H. (2026). The Desecration and Reburial Process of Seolleung and Jeongleung during the Imjin War. YŎKSA WA HYŎNSIL : Quarterly Review of Korean History, 140, 59–96. https://doi.org/10.35865/ywh.2026.6.140.59