The Silla Monument discovered in Jungseong-ri, Heunghae-eup, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do in May 2009 is the oldest extant Silla monument in Korea. Made of granite and distinguished by its erratic shape, the monument contains an inscription consisting of 203 characters, i.e. twelve lines of around twenty characters each, engraved on one of its faces. Although parts of the top and right-hand side of the monument have been lost, it is in good condition overall, and the inscription is clearly legible.
The inscription contains details of the development of Silla’s official rank system, the internal structure of Silla’s six bu, local governance and dispute settlement procedures, the significance of the royal palaces, and the imposition of legal measures to prevent the recurrence after passing judgment on a case. As such, the monument constitutes a valuable source of historical and academic information on the politics, economy and culture of Silla.
The inscription is engraved in the ornamental seal writing style, which is similar to the older version found on the Monument to King Gwanggaeto the Great, showing Silla’s characteristic ‘frankness’. This monument was erected two years earlier than the Silla Monument in Naengsu-ri, Pohang, which dates from 503 (the 4th year of the reign of King Jijeung).