The Administrative System and Urban Structure of Seogyeong during the Goryeo Era

This study analyzes the administrative system and urban structure of Seogyeong during the Goryeo era. During the early stages, the Seogyeong gwanbu(administrative office), which was regarded as having the same status as the Gaegyeong gwanbu, was divided into the Nanggwan, Agwan, and Byeongburyeong. The responsibility for Seogyeong’s administration began to be divided between the Yusugwan and Seogyeonggwan during the reigns of King Seongjong and King Hyeonjong, with the split officially concretized during the reign of King Munjong. The Seogyeonggwan featured various agencies and officials, with the Pyeongbu and Hobu being the most prominent of these. However, the status of this office was downgraded following the failure of the Myocheong Rebellion. While the Seogyeong Yusugwan was granted the right to control Seogyeong and the area surrounding it by the king, the Seogyeonggwan, which was situated below the Seogyeong Yusugwan, was responsible for carrying out various tasks with the help of the Seogyeong Yusugwan. The nature of the Seogyeonggwan made it such that its structure revolved around matters pertaining to the military and finances. While those appointed as Seogyeong Yusugwan officials were not from the Seogyeong area, the majority of those who worked for the Seogyeonggwan in fact hailed from this region. This situation proved to be the root cause of many conflicts between these two government agencies, and was also a factor in the outbreak of the Myocheong Rebellion. In the aftermath of this incident, officials from areas other than Seogyeong were dispatched to the Seogyeonggwan to ensure continued control over the people of Seogyeong. Although the jurisdiction of Seogyeong covered the entire area north of Cheollyeong, its influence was strongest in the capital city of Seogyeong and in the surrounding Gyeonggi area. The administrative system of the capital and its suburbs consisted of bu, pang, and li. Of the 5 bu which are said to have been in place at that time, evidence has been found to confirm the existence of Cheondeogbu, Yongdeogbu, and Jeondeogheungtodu. For its part, the Gyeonggi area was reorganized into 6 hyeon following the failed Myocheong Rebellion. The structure of the capital city of Seogyeong melded harmoniously with the Gungseong, Hwangseong, Chaeseong, and Naseong fortresses that surrounded it, and, as it was surrounded by water on three sides, the city over time effectively became a fortified city. While the main gate of the Hwangseong or Chaeseong (Chungseong) located on the city’s eastern flanks became the Daedongmun, the southern gate of the Chaeseong became its Heungryemun, and the gates of Naseong located to the south became the Tongyangmun.