@article{ART003194175},
author={Kwak Myung-jun},
title={The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period},
journal={The Review of Korean History},
issn={1225-133X},
year={2025},
number={157},
pages={007-052}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kwak Myung-jun
TI - The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period
JO - The Review of Korean History
PY - 2025
VL - null
IS - 157
PB - The Historical Society Of Korea
SP - 007
EP - 052
SN - 1225-133X
AB - The Dokseo Sampumgwa(讀書三品科), which was implemented of the Late Silla Period, was a system to select government officials with Confucian knowledge. As in the “Samguk Sagi(三國史記)”, it changed the Silla society in that it changed from the previous selection of talent through archery to a selection method that evaluates the level of Confucianism.
The content of The Dokseo Sampingwa indicates that it was modeled after the Tang dynasty’s Myeonggyeonggwa(明經科), one of the state examination, as seen in the addition of the Libu Shi(禮部試) to the Tang’s exam system and the inclusion of an oral examination, known as koushi (口試), in the Myeonggyeonggwa.
King Wonseong, who established The Dokseo Sampingwa, aimed to strengthen royal authority by granting eligibility to those who were not from the Gukhak(國學). However, those who had previously held an advantage by coming from the Gukhak sought to maintain their dominance through The Munjeok(文籍). This led to significant problems in the state’s administrative practices, as pointed out by Nokjin(祿眞) during King Heondeok’s reign. However, this was not an issue unique to Silla at the time.
In the Tang dynasty, the state sought to strengthen royal authority by directly intervening in the selection of officials through the Gukjagam(國子監). However, as the Myeonggyeonggwa that was closely linked to the Gukjagam declined, the Jinsagwa(進士科) became more prevalent, which was not associated with the Gukjagam. In Japan, although measures were taken to broaden the entrance qualifications for the Daigakuryo(大學僚), a phenomenon emerged where aristocratic families monopolized the official positions within the Daigakuryo.
In Silla, the limitations of The Dokseo Sampingwa led to an increase in the number of students studying in Tang dynasty. These students went to China to pass the Bingong Section(賓貢科). The Bingong Section was a type of Jinsagwa for foreigners, and successful candidates could receive official positions in the Tang government. Although these students obtained positions in the Tang government, they returned to Silla due to practical issues related to their treatment and status in China.
KW - The Dokseo Sampumgwa(讀書三品科);Myeonggyeonggwa(明經科);The Munjeok(文籍);Nokjin(祿眞);Bingong Section(賓貢科)
DO -
UR -
ER -
Kwak Myung-jun. (2025). The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period. The Review of Korean History, 157, 007-052.
Kwak Myung-jun. 2025, "The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period", The Review of Korean History, no.157, pp.007-052.
Kwak Myung-jun "The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period" The Review of Korean History 157 pp.007-052 (2025) : 007.
Kwak Myung-jun. The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period. 2025; 157 : 007-052.
Kwak Myung-jun. "The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period" The Review of Korean History no.157(2025) : 007-052.
Kwak Myung-jun. The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period. The Review of Korean History, 157, 007-052.
Kwak Myung-jun. The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period. The Review of Korean History. 2025; 157 007-052.
Kwak Myung-jun. The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period. 2025; 157 : 007-052.
Kwak Myung-jun. "The Implementation and Change of The Dokseo Sampumgwa in the Late Silla Period" The Review of Korean History no.157(2025) : 007-052.
