Five College Center for East Asian Studies Study Tours Website
"The great commander General Kim Yu-Shin (595-673), a great grandson of King Guhyeong, the last king of Gaya Kingdom, made a great contribution that determined the destiny of Silla. Kim Yu-Shin, the 12th descendant of King Kim Su-Ro of the Gaya Kingdom, became Hwarang (elite youth corps of Silla) when he was only 15 years old. He trained himself. As a great commander of Silla with superior learning and martial arts, he achieved a glorious exploit for the unification of the Three Kingdoms. He supported Queen Seondeok when Bi-Dam tried to usurp the throne by raising a revolt during the queen’s last period. Because Queen Jindeok did not have any child to succeed her throne, she declared Kim Chun-Chu as king by recommendation of Kim Yu-Shin. In the thousand-year-old Silla history, he was definitely one of the most influential figures. Because of his reputation, his tomb in the eastern hill of Mt. Songhwasan boasts of a well-balanced shape that is even better in comparison with any other royal tombs. Since he played the most important role in the ongoing war for the unification of the Three Kingdoms and in dispersing the soldiers of the Chinese Tang Dynasty after the unification, his tomb stands aloft as a mighty leader of the unification. After his death, King Munmu ordered a tombstone to be built, but it was not carried out. At the moment, in front of the tomb, there is a monument entitled Silla Taedae Gakgan Kim Yu-Shin’s Tomb, which was built by Gyeongju Governor Nam Ji-Hoon in 1710, and a monument erected by the Gimhae Kim clan in 1934. On the northeastern side stands a Sungmujeon, a place to praise his achievements and perform religious services." (Gyeongju City EGuide)
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Helpful Links:
New World Encyclopedia - Kim Yushin
Wikipedia - Kim Yushin