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Goryeo Gwangjong’s(光宗) Political Reform and the Construction of Iron Flagpole of Yongdusa(龍頭寺) in Cheongju

  • The Review of Korean History
  • 2016, (121), pp.117-160
  • Publisher : The Historical Society Of Korea
  • Research Area : Humanities > History

kim nak jin 1

1전쟁기념사업회(전쟁기념관)

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The construction of Iron Flagpole of Yongdusa(龍頭寺) reflects the hojok’(豪族local gentry)s decreasing influences on the local communities in Cheongju. Cheongju was closely related to Gungye(弓裔) before his accession. Gungye built a solid foundation as forcible displacements of Cheongju’s 1000households when he moved the capital to Cheorwon. The powerful of Cheongju were so badly disunited when Wang Geon(王建) was crowned king. They were divided into Loyalists to Wang Geon and the opposing part(Loyalists to Gungye). Also the local gentry of Cheongju had different interests depending on where they live. This conditions made it difficult for the cohesion of the hojok in Cheongju. Also central government strengthened it’s control over hojok’s power and it led to lessen their influence on local residents. This lasted until the reign of Gwangjong. Gwangjong executed a sweeping purge to major hojok. For that, Gwangjong picked men of great presence as the King’s guards(侍衛軍). They formed the military basis of strengthening of royal authority. These guards used to belong to the hojok privately. Especially they had a duty of escorting the king, the officers were also involved. Because of this, some of the hojok presumed to be chosen as King’s guards. From early on, Cheongju played a key role in the military support of Gungye. So selecting King’s guards in Cheongju split local societies and reduced the major hojok’s power. Yongdusa in Cheongju was estimated to be a temple of Cheontae Order. Because of Gwangjong’s(光宗) support to Beopsangjong, Gyojong was in a position of advantage over the other Buddhist sects. So Yongdusa decayed and lost its position as an ideological foundation to local people. The Kim clan of Cheongju, including Dangdaedeung(堂大等local headman) Kim Yejong, Kim Huiil, Kim Su, Kim Seokhui, Kim Gwangyeom, bear the cost as a part of its efforts to build the Iron Flagpole of Yongdusa. Such a large-scale project came amid a mounting sense of crisis about their power. According to the records of the Iron Flagpole of Yongdusa, the hojok of Cheongju (The Kim clan as the central figure, The Son clan, The Gyeong clan, The Han clan) wanted to build the flagpole to show solidarity for their dominating force. The hojok of Cheongju already lost their power and influence. From the records of flagpole, we could notice the list of contributors with many well-known names and the titles of the office for both predecessors and incumbents. It was not the totality of the hojok in Cheongju. Some of them did not actively participate in the construction of Iron Flagpole of Yongdusa. This means that hojok’s influence is on the ebb. Therefore the construction of Iron Flagpole of Yongdusa was actively promoted as a means of solidifying the hojok’s power.

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