Korean Connection to Lord Rama

Dr Uday Dokras

Home to millennia old cultures and centuries-old kingdoms, India boasts of a long and
dramatic history. Sharing its history with the subcontinent as well as South-East Asia, Indian
legends and mythologies find their place in many cultures across the world. But did you
know that India shares an ancient and interesting bond with Korea? Yes! The hermit kingdom
which rose to prominence with the Second World War, actually holds a connection with
India. Interesting, right?!
Every year, hundreds of South Koreans visit Ayodhya, which is also the birth place of lord
Rama, to pay homage to their ancestor. Want to know more about this interesting Indian-
Korean connection? Come, let’s delve into the mystery.
What’s the legend?

Korean legend states that the princess of Ayodhya named Heo Hwang-ok also known as
Suriratna, went all the way to Korea some 2000 years ago to marry King Suro of Geumgwan
Gaya. Together, they both are heralded as the ancestors of more than two-thirds of Koreans
today. Surprising, isn’t it?!

Heo Hwang-ok is worshipped as the most blessed queen ever to have set foot on Korea. Her
offspring rose to prominence and unified Korea, and distinguished luminaries of the day still
trace their lineage to her.

Even though historically debatable, enough legends have surfaced around this event to peep
the interests of world media. Ancient Korean text SamgukYusa chronicles King Suro’s wife
to have been a princess of a distant kingdom called Ayuta, which people relate to be the holy
city of present-day Ayodhya. Also, the twin fish royal family symbol of Gaya Kingdom is
deemed to be the symbol of ancient Hindu families of Ayodhya. The descendants of Queen

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Heo Hwang-ok and King Kim Suro, brought various kingdoms of Korea together and gave
birth to the famous Karak dynasty, which is the ancient house that gave Korea some of its
best and illustrious citizens. Some of the members of the erstwhile dynasty are said to have
possessed the stones which the princess carried with her as god’s blessing during the long and
perilous sea journey.It is believed that the queen died at the age of 157.

While the South-Korea-India ties have received a kick due to trade policies and government
relations, plans have been put in place to develop Ayodhya and Gimhae as sister cities.
Furthermore, the South Korean government has decided to commission a memorial upgrade
to Queen Heo Hwang-ok at her hometown, which the First Lady of South Korea formally
attended on her visit to India. The two governments have also agreed to release a joint stamp
to commemorate the famous queen.
With hundreds of Koreans flocking to Ayodhya every year to pay their obeisance to their
ancestor, the tourism is also touted to receive a boost. After all, who doesn’t love a good
legend to perk up their itinerary with?!
, Number of shares.

Legendary Korean Queen 'Heo Hwang-Ok' Was From Ayutthaya Kingdom (Ayodhya -
Ancient City in India and Birthplace of Sri Rama)
AYODHYA is an ancient city of India, the birthplace of Prabhu Sri Rama and setting of the
epic Ramayana. It is adjacent to Faizabad city at south end in the Indian state of Uttar
Pradesh.

India's early contacts with Korea date back more than 2000 years. Two thousand years ago, a
16 year old princess from Ayodhya, accompanied by her brother, sailed from India for Korea.
We only know her by her Korean name, Huh Wang-Ock. There she wed King Kim Suro,
founder of the ancient Korean kingdom of Karack. The King himself received her upon her
arrival, and later built a temple at the place where they had first met. She is said to have died
at the grand old age of 189. Her story is narrated in the ancient Korean history books,
"Samkuksaki" and "Samkukyusa".

2
Her tomb is located in Kimhae and there is a stone pagoda in front of the tomb. The pagoda is
built with stones, which the princess is said to have brought with her from Ayodhya. They
have engravings and red patterns. They are believed to have a mysterious power to calm
stormy seas. The Kimhae kingdom's influence is still felt in modern-day South Korea.
KimhaeKims and KimhaeHuhs trace their origins to this ancient kingdom and Korea's current
President Kim Dae Jung and Prime Minister Jong Pil Kim are KimhaeKims.
In February, 2000, Kimhae Mayor Song Eun-Bok led a delegation to Ayodhya. The
delegation proposed to develop Ayodhya as a sister city of Kimhae and there are plans to set
up a memorial for Queen Huh. Note: Ayodhya is the modern Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh. It
was the capital of the kingdom of Prabhu Sri Ram, the seventh incarnation of Sri Maha
Vishnu.

In the northern Indian city of Ayodhya, a visiting Korean delegation has inaugurated a
memorial to their royal ancestor, Queen Huh. More than a-hundred historians and
government representatives, including the North Korean ambassador to India, unveiled the
memorial on the west bank of the River Saryu. Korean historians believe that Queen Huh was
a princess of an ancient kingdom in Ayodhya. She went to Korea some two-thousand years
ago and started the Karak dynasty by marrying a local king, Suro.
Today, the historians say, Queen Huh's descendants number more than six-million, including
the South Korean president - Kim Dae Jung. According to a history book written in the 11th
century in Korean language, "The History of Three Kingdoms" pay a visit to the picturesque
banks of river Saryu in the holy city. Here one will find a monument in memory of an
Ayodhya princess who is believed to have 'mothered' a dynasty in South Korea.
It has been an affair that resurfaced after a lapse of almost 2000 years in the year 2001.
Mayors of Ayodhya and Kim-Hae city in South Korea had signed a Sister City Bond in
March 2001.

Queen Huh was a princess of the kingdom. Her father, the king of Ayodhya, on receiving a
divine revelation, sent her on a long sea voyage to the Karak kingdom in southern Korea to
marry King Suro, states the lines inscribed on the plaque at the monument in Ayodhya.
The monument in memory of Hwang Huh is built in Korean tradition using a three-meter
high stone weighing 7,500 kg, specially shipped from South Korea. The clan that descended
from the Ayodhya princess Huh and South Korean King Suros, today known as Kim-Hae-
Kim clan, has a little over six million Huh descendants in the Republic of South Korea. The
Kim-Hae-Kim clan has countless illustrious members including many presidents and
premiers.

The memorial site in Ayodhya has become a place of pilgrimage for members of the clan.
While unveiling the monument Bong Ho-Kim, president of the clan society, Republic of
Korea had said: "Ayodhya being birthplace of our great Queen Huh, has acquired the status
of a place for pilgrimage to over six million descendants."

This stone is only found in India, proof that it came from there to Korea," said Song Weon
Young, city archaeologist of Kimhae, a city near the big industrial town of Pusan. People of
Kimhae were so fascinated by these links that they started research on it several years ago.
They also ran into a symbol of the Kaya Kingdom with two fish kissing each other, similar to
that of the Mishra royal family in Ayodhya. The Princess is said to have given birth to 10
children, which marked the beginning of the powerful dynasty of KimhaeKims. Kim Dae
Jung, a former President also belongs to the same family name.

3
But even at the center of these links lies a strong sense of commercial exchange between
Korea and India.The stone represents Kaya's cultural heritage which did not stay in one place,
and the stone indicates that commercial exchange has been on since the Queen came from
India. Thousands of miles away from Ayodhya, the stone is a small piece of history. The
people in the city seem quite proud of their links with India, especially because Queen Suro
gave rise to the Kim dynasty, a powerful family name in the country.

A genetic discovery in South Korea has claimed that Koreans could have an Indian ancestor
2000 years ago. The findings have gained interests in the backdrop of the popular romantic
legend of an Indian princess married to a Korean king of the Great Gaya dynasty. According
to the legend, the Korean king from Southeast Korea, Kim Su-ro, married an Indian princess,
Heo Hwang-ok, from the ancient Indian kingdom of Ayodhya.

The stories say that Heotraveled by ship to Korea. The Great Gaya dynasty ruled Southeast
Korea till 562 AD. In fact, Heo is still a common family name in Korea. The researchers now
say that the myth could turn out to be true, according to the daily. More studies are in the
offing. The genetic study at Gimhae tomb focused on the mitochondrial DNA in the human
remains.1

Hare Krishna,History,Knowledge
Hindus were spread across the globe and ruled several places directly or through their heirs.
The movement from one place to another was done through mapped ways, sea routes and
teleportation. Mode of transport were ships, chariots and yogic science.
The knowledge of Bharat, Sages and her people were highly regarded by the world and the
cultures that were bit different from natives of Bharat (India). Ancient Hindus were masters
of science, cosmology and consciousness of subtle and non-subtle body. They were able to
communicate easily with people even spanning thousands of kilometers away.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://steemit.com/korea/@rajacsekaran/legendary-korean-queen-heo-hwang-ok-was-from-
ayutthaya-kingdom-ayodhya-ancient-city-in-india-and-birthplace-of-sri-ramaKorean Royals
are Lineage of Ayodhya Hindu Ancestry. Ram Janmabhoomi Residents of Suriratna.
Home /Hare Krishna, History, Knowledge/Korean Royals are Lineage of Ayodhya Hindu
Ancestry. Ram Janmabhoomi Residents of Suriratna.

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Telepathically, Suriratna’s father gave forevision to the Korean king. The Korean king waited
for the Indian princess from Ayodhya, the capital of the Kosala kingdom. In spite of
hardships and uncertain environment their long-awaited union realized with the assistance of
a Buddhist pagoda built by Buddha himself. It is said that even Buddha had visions that their
union would lay foundations to the future of Korea.

Korean Legacy Hindu Connection

2000 Years Old Trace of Ayodhya Princess Found in Korea
LEADERS OF KOREA BELONG TO LINEAGE OF RAJKUMARI SURIRATNA
As per recorded history of Korea which has traces in Bharat (India) too, around 2000 years
ago, Indian princess Suriratna from Ayodhyatraveled to South Korea and married a Korean
king, Kim Suro. Suriratna also known as Queen Huh (in Korea) of the Gaya dynasty (57 BC
– 668 AD), traveled for three months by sea, following a suggestion of her father, to marry
the founder of Karak kingdom. Her father was very intelligent and could foresee future and
turn of events that could help in shaping the incidents in favorable manner. He also saw
Bhagwan in his dream giving him divine advice to marry her daughter with the prince of
Korea. Their life story was described in a famous history book SamgukYusa (History of
Three Kingdoms) written by a monk Iryon (1206 AD – 1289 AD).

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Suriratna was 16 when she married prince Kim Suro of Kimhye’s kingdom. The Kimhae
dynasty was so much respected by locals that the name of the country got it’s name from
Kimhae as Korhae (Goryeo). Suriratna spent 41 years of her life for the welfare of Korea,
died when she was 57 years old.
Interestingly, Queen Huh’s tomb in South Korea has a pagoda in frontage, which is built with
stones and believed to have brought from Ayodhya. Even to this day, around seven million
Koreans with surnames Kim and Huh from (Kimhae) Gimhae, and Lee from Incheon, trace
their ancestry back to the royal Indo-Korean couple. People belonging to Karak clan
comprise of at least 10% of overall Korean population and most of them are placed at high
positions in Korea.

On the other hand, a monument has been built in memory of Hwang Huh on the picturesque
banks of river Saryu in Ayodhya. Built in Korean tradition, the monument has a three-metre
high stone weighing 7,500 kg.
That was the reason when some years ago on his visit to India, President Roh Moo-Hyun said
“We are cousins” when he met Indian delegation in Delhi.
Koreans believe that the lineage of Suriratna and Kim Suro controlled various states of Korea
in 7th century and it was their relatives who were rulers of these states.

5
Karak dynasty hold high esteem among locals and there are many top positions occupied
by Karak people in the ministry of Korea today. One of the Ex-Presidents of Korea belonged
directly to same lineage. Karak people also hold top places in several places across globe.
Koreans were Hindus
INDIAN GOVERNMENT UPGRADING THE MONUMENT TO CEMENT
RELATIONS WITH KOREA
Reverence of Korea TowardsAyodhya Princess Suriratna
On the 6th March 2001 in collaboration with NDA government, the Karak Clan Society built
a monument at Ayodhya on the west bank of River Saryu, in cooperation with the state
government of Uttar Pradesh. The North Korean ambassador to India was among those
present. Since then members of the Karak Clan Society, and often Government officials from
(Kimhae) Gimhae City (South Korea), have visited the site every March to celebrate the
Queen’s anniversary. Often a traditional Korean dancing team has participated in the
ceremony. Every year they come all the way from Korea to give respect to their beloved
Queen Huh in her home city Ayodhya.

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Revival of this unique cultural connection between the two countries was proposed, when
Indian Prime Minister NarendraModi visited South Korea recently to strengthen diplomatic
as well as economic relations.
Prior to this, Union IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, post his visit to South Korea in October
last year, wrote to the Prime minister to revive this ancient cultural bond with Korea. He
suggested the prime minister to upgrade the existing memorial to an elegant Korean-style
structure.
The proposed upgradation of the monument could attract nearly 1 lakh Korean tourists every
year, including Buddhists, for whom it is a pilgrimage. If the said project gets implemented,
the place in divine city, Ayodhya, is expected to find its lasting place on India’s map as a
historical destination.

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Though there are many ancient Korean queens who are revered by locals, among them Queen
Huh (Heo) is respected the most for her knowledge and intelligence.
Korean Ex-President like Kim Dae-jung, Ex-Prime Ministers HiyoJiyong and Kim Jong-pil
belonged to revered Karak clan. The respect towards Suriratna is so deep, the Korean
government has managed to save and restore big stones that were used by Suriratna to
maintain the balance of boat. Kimhae has big statue of Suriratna (Queen Huh) at the central
place of the city. The statue is remembrance of the fact that piousness of Hinduism and its
teachings is respected by all in the form of Queen Huh for her part in shaping the future of
Korea and its prosperity.

Adityanath, South Korean first lady inaugurate Queen Huh Memorial in Ayodhya
By Chennabasaveshwar P

Ayodhya, Nov 6: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and First Lady of South
Korea, Kim Jung-sook inaugurated the Queen Huh Memorial at Queen Huh Park in Ayodhya
on Tuesday.First Lady of South Korea, Kim Jung-sook, who is in India Sunday on a four-day
visit, is also scheduled to participate in Diwali festivities and the ground-breaking ceremony
of a memorial for a Korean queen in Ayodhya."Yogiji is most likely to announce Tuesday,
during 'Deepotsav', the plan for erecting a 151-metre statue of Lord Ram on the banks of
Saryu. The place has not been finalised and it will be done after soil testing," Ayodhya Mayor
RishikeshUpadhyay told PTI.

7
Queen Huh Park with Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook on
their arrival at the Queen Huh Park in Ayodhya, Tuesday. Nov 6, 2018. (PTI Photo/Nand
Kumar)

An areal view of city of Ayodhya

An areal view of city of Ayodhya decked up like a bride ahead of South Korean First Lady
Kim Jung-sook visit for Deepotsav, in Ayodhya, Monday. Kim Jung-sook will be the chief
guest at the 'Deepotsav' event being organised by the Uttar Pradesh government on tomorrow.
( PTI Photo)

Cultural performance
South Korean and Indian artists perform at Queen Hau Park in Ayodhya. CM Yogi
Adityanath and South Korean first lady Kim-Jung Sook in attendance. Courtesy:

8
Inauguration of the Queen Huh Memorial
CM Yogi Adityanath and South Korean first lady Kim-Jung Sook inaugurate the Queen Huh
Memorial at Queen Huh Park in Ayodhya. https://www.oneindia.com/india/adityanath-south-
korean-first-lady-inaugurate-queen-huh-memorial-in-ayodhya-2804331.html

South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook celebrates Diwali in Ayodhya, revives links of
Queen Heo
South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook began her tour by offering tribute at the Queen Heo
Memorial and attending a ground-breaking ceremony for the upgrade and beautification of
the memorial. (AFP)

She attended ceremonies and welcomed artistes dressed as Lord Ram and Goddess Sita as
part of Diwali festivities along with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath in the
temple town on Tuesday.
Kim began her tour by offering tribute at the Queen Heo Memorial and attending a ground-
breaking ceremony for the upgrade and beautification of the memorial.
According to Korean legends, Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya had travelled to Korea and
married King Kim Suro and became Queen Heo Hwang-ok in 48AD.
A large number of Koreans trace their ancestry to the legendary princess, who is known as
Queen Heo Hwang-ok.
“The legend of Queen Heo Hwang-ok binds the two countries together culturally, and her
visit will further promote our people-to-people ties,” a senior official at the cultural wing of
the South Korean Embassy in India told PTI.

Huge hoardings, bearing the message ‘South Korean First lady Kim Jung-sook - Welcome to
Ayodhya‘ and her picture, have been put up across the city.
Kim went to the banks of the Saryuriver to welcome artists donning the avatar of Lord Ram
and Goddess Sita, who arrived at Ram Katha Park in a ceremonial chopper as part of ‘Ram
Durbar’.
She garlanded ‘Sita’ as they descended from the helicopter and Uttar Pradesh governor Ram
Naik and Adityanath welcomed Lord Ram and Laxman by garlanding them.
Kim had arrived in India on Sunday on a four-day visit, during which she has already met
Prime Minister NarendraModi and external affairs minister SushmaSwaraj.
An agreement regarding the Queen Suriratna Memorial Project was signed to facilitate
upgrade and expansion of the existing monument commemorating Princess Suriratna (Queen
Hur Hwang-ok).

9
In July, the two countries signed the agreement for expansion of the Suriratna memorial
project.
Bihar governor LaljiTandon, South Korean envoy Shin Bongkil and Union minister V K
Singh also took part in the celebrations.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/south-korean-first-lady-kim-jung-sook-
celebrates-diwali-in-ayodhya-revives-links-of-queen-heo/story-
WGSAKC0xKAI9fVbhSiue6N.html
India, S Korea and theAyodhya connect
Putting Ayodhya on the global map, the Modi administration on Tuesday signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Korea (RoK) for the
"expansion" of Queen Suriratna Memorial Project.

President Kovind (centre), his wife SavitaKovind, PM Modi, South Korean President Moon
Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook at RashtrapatiBhawan in New Delhi

HIGHLIGHTS

Modigovt has signed several MoUs with S Korea

A joint project that traces India, S Korea's cultural history back to AD 48
The joint project would have equal contribution from both sides
Putting Ayodhya on the global map, the Modi administration on Tuesday signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Korea (RoK) for the
"expansion" of Queen Suriratna Memorial Project. A joint project that traces India and South
Korea's cultural history back to AD 48.
During the bilateral talks between PM Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-In, it was
decided that construction of the Queen Hu memorial park in Ayodhya which "will be a
tribute to the shared cultural heritage and long-lasting friendship between India and RoK",
according to the MEA.
Princess Suriratna (Queen Hur Hwang-ok), according to legends, was a Princess of
Ayodhya,who went to Korea in AD 48 and married King Kim-Suro.
A large number of Koreans trace their ancestry to this legendary princess and therefore there
have been regular visits to Ayodhya where there has always been a statue of the princess. The
two governments are now planning to expand the existing monument so as to facilitate
engagement and tourism.

10
The joint project would have equal contribution from both sides. During PM Modi's visit to
South Korea in 2015, both sides committed 50 croreseach.The cost of the project is estimated
around `300-400 crore.
Kim K Jae, President of Karak Society said the importance this project holds to further India-
S Korea ties. "This monument would be a symbol of strengthened India-South Korea ties and
will transform Ayodhya into an international tourist destination", he said.
Queen Hu's memorial was reportedly first inaugurated in Ayodhya in 2001. The land and area
for the proposed memorial was marked by the then Akhilesh Sigh Yadav government, but the
Koreans raised objections to safety of the project on the banks of river Sarayu since their
study showed inundation due to floods from the Sarayu River of the original site area of
55,765 square metres once in five years.

The present UP government under CM Yogi Adityanath allocated a safer location near the
upcoming Ram Katha Museum in Ayodhya city which has been approved by the visiting
Korean team. Emphasising the importance of this project, Adityanath said, "South Korea and
Uttar Pradesh have an emotional relationship; about 2000 years back the Princess of Ayodhya
got married to the Prince of Korea."
https://steemit.com/korea/@rajacsekaran/legendary-korean-queen-heo-hwang-ok-was-from-
ayutthaya-kingdom-ayodhya-ancient-city-in-india-and-birthplace-of-sri-rama

India and Korea are coming together through legendary Princess of Ayodhya

Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya was an India beauty who traveled to Korea in 48 CE and got
married to the Korean King Suro effectively binding Ayodhya and Korea in the closest way
possible. Now, again. this legendary Princess of Ayodhya is again bringing India and Korea
together.
At the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, NarendraModi, Kim Jung-sook, First Lady of
the Republic of Korea will lead a high-level delegation to India from November 4-7, 2018.
India and Myanmar to take action against insurgent groups

11
She will be the Chief Guest at the Deepotsav event being organised by the State Government
of Uttar Pradesh and the ground-breaking ceremony of the Queen Suriratna (Heo Hwang-ok)
Memorial in Ayodhya on 6 November 2018.
India and Republic of Korea share a Special Strategic Partnership.
Hindu reaction makes Pastor apologize after his bigoted gloat on ‘conversion’ of a Hindu
family goes viral
Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea had visited India in July 2018. His visit had
imparted new strength to our evolving partnership.
The First Lady’s participation in the festivities in Ayodhya will showcase the close
civilisational links as well as the ongoing deepening engagement between the two countrie
Ayodhya has ‘important relations’ with South Korea — Envoy refers to Indian princess
link
According to legend, an Indian princess named Suriratna, also known as Heo Hwang-ok,
married Korean king Kim Suro more than 2,000 years ago.

South Korean Ambassador to India Shin Bongkil | www.overseas.mofa.go.kr

Text Size: A- A+
South Korea and the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh share important historic relations, Shin
Bongkil, South Korea’s Ambassador to India, said Monday.
In an interview to ANI, the South Korean envoy referred to an Indian princess who married
Korean king Kim Suro, according to an ancient history book of the country.
“Ayodhya has important relations with Korea. In Korea’s ancient history book, it’s written
that a princess from Ayodhya married a Korean king, Kim Suro,” he said.

12
He added, “In archaeological findings from the king’s tomb, artefacts belonging to Ayodhya
have been found.”
Bongkil’s remarks come just a day before the bhoomipujan (ground-breaking) ceremony of
the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

An ancient, royal connection

Thousands of South Koreans reportedly visit Ayodhya every year as they believe they can
trace their ancestry to the city.
Several historical Korean stories mention an Indian princess, Suriratna, also known as Heo
Hwang-ok, who married King Suro of Geumgwan approximately 2,000 years ago. The two
royals are believed to have started the Karak dynasty.
A version of the legend claims that the then Ayodhya king had a dream where God ordered
him to send his 16-year-old daughter to South Korea, according to a BBC report.
Ancient Korean text ‘SamgukYusa’ also speaks about King Suro’s wife who came from a
distant land called Ayuta, which historians believe referred to Ayodhya since both names are
phonetically similar.Additionally, the symbol of the Geumgwan Kingdom is a twin fish
symbol, which is also found in many historical monuments in Ayodhya.
This legend has given way to several cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In 2001, a memorial for the Indian princess was inaugurated in Ayodhya on the west bank of
the Saryuriver.The same year, mayors of Ayodhya and the South Korean city of Kim
Hae signed a Sister City Bond to encourage mutual cultural development.
Then, almost 15 years later, then-Uttar Pradesh chief minister AkhileshYadav agreed to
develop the memorial as a world heritage site.In 2018, as part of a state visit, South Korea’s
First Lady attended a ceremony that marked the beginning of upgrading Princess Suriratna’s
memorial, which was a joint project between the two Asian countries.

Why an Indian Princess's memorial in Ayodhya is a big draw for South Korean tourists
Ayodhya, which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, plays host to hundreds of
South Koreans every year. They visit the holy land to pay tribute to Queen Huh Hwang-ok
AKA Princess Suriratna.
Listen to Story

All about Queen Heo Hwang-ok's memorial in Ayodhya (Photo: Rahul Gupta/India Today)

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Mehak Malhotra=New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 12, 2024 18:39 IST

South Korea has a special connection with Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord
Ram. No, it has nothing to do with Lord Ram.
Every year, hundreds of South Koreans visit the holy city of Ayodhya to pay tribute to
Queen Huh Hwang-ok. It is believed that several South Koreans have their ancestral roots in
Ayodhya.
Who was Queen Huh Hwang-ok?
Legend has it that Queen Huh Hwang-ok, also known as Princess Suriratna, was the
princess of Ayodhya before she went to South Korea and married King Kim Suro of Karak
Clan in 48 AD.
As per a research paper by Dr Uday Dokras, "Ancient Korean text Samguk Yusa chronicles
King Suro's wife to have been a princess of a distant kingdom called Ayuta, which people
relate to be the holy city of present-day Ayodhya."
Queen Huh Hwang-ok has a memorial in Ayodhya
The South Korean queen's memorial was first inaugurated in 2001 in Ayodhya.
In 2015, PM Narendra Modi and former South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the PM's visit to South Korea for expansion of
the memorial.
Later, the memorial was beautified to honour the queen's legacy, and the memorial park was
inaugurated in 2022.
According to UP tourism's official website, around 60 lakh people of the Karak clan
consider Ayodhya as their maternal home.
In 2019, commemorative Rs 25 and Rs 5 postage stamps for the queen were also issued by
India.

Postage stamps (Photos: Wikipedia)

From Ayodhya to South Korea by boat
As per the UP government website, it is believed that Princess Suriratna reached Korea on
a boat. She was only 16 when she got married.
She is believed to be the first queen of King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya.

14
 According to some Chinese-language texts, the then King of Ayodhya was ordered by god to
send his 16-year-old daughter to South Korea to marry King Kim Suro in a dream, says
a BBC report.

The same publication mentioned that the king and queen had ten sons, adding that they both
lived over 150 years.
Back in 2020, the then South Korean Ambassador to India, Shin Bong-kil, told ANI,
"Ayodhya has important relations with Korea."
Shin Bong-kil mentioned that in Korea's ancient history book, it's written that a princess from
Ayodhya married a Korean king, adding that in archaeological findings from Kim Suro's
tomb, artefacts belonging to Ayodhya have been discovered.

Where is Queen Huh Hwang-ok's memorial?

 The memorial park portrays the journey of Princess Suriratna from Ayodhya to Korea.
 The legend is inscribed on a stone structure that was shipped from South Korea.
 The park has been built on the bank of the Sarayu River, on a reported budget of Rs 21 crore.
 The south-east corner of the memorial features a statue of Queen Huh Hwang-ok.
 The north-east corner has a statue of King Kim Suro.
 The princess’s sea journey has been recreated at the memorial with the help of a pond and
footbridge.
 The park also features an egg made of granite. It is believed that Princess Suriratna took a
golden egg along during her journey to Korea.

Queen Huh Hwang-ok's Tamil connection
There is another theory about the queen by Dr Kannan Narayan, a retired professor and
former Scientific Advisor and Coordinator of Korea Institute of Ocean Science and
Technology.

In his theory, based on Chinese legends, Kannan Narayan stated that the queen's name
points to the South Indian kingdom of Pandya – the Pandyas of Madurai, says a Deccan
Herald report.

He added that the twin fish symbol seen on the walls of Ayodhya possibly dates back to a
time when it was a part of the United Provinces. He mentioned that it was also the national
symbol of the Pandya Dynasty.

The retired professor said that it's a possibility that the queen left the port of Athiyuthu from
Tamil Nadu and not Ayodhya and the same has been modified over time to Ayutha.
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