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The Political Situation and System Change Before and After the Reign King Jangsu of Goguryeo Dynasty

Jo Yeong kwang 1

1국사편찬위원회

Accredited

ABSTRACT

In the political history of Goguryeo(高句麗), from the end of the fifth century to the early sixth century was very important period. It was the watershed of periodization that showed the transition to the latter period from the middle period. And it was political fluctuating period when systemic change occurred. Goguryeo went through the strengthening of regal power steadily and became an adamant centralized kingdom in the fifth century. Especially during the King Jangsu(長壽王)’s rein the royal household was scared and Goguryeo formed an individual outlook on the world. During the period the royal authority was in its peak and absolute regal power was established. In this back ground King Jangsu transferred the Capital to Pyeongyang(平壤) for the security of the nation and the regal power. In the process of strengthening regal power Nakrang-Daebang Aristocratic Group(樂浪․帶方系) played an important role. They were subsumed under a monarch when Goguryeo subjugated the bygone Chinese Colonies(漢郡縣) since the fourth century. After that they sticked to the king and became a councilors who attend the king closely. In that way they supported the royal authority. About fifth century they coalesced with king and in the end became a major group in the central political circles. It seems that King Jangsu purged them in the latter half of the rein under a various political adjudge like secure succession of the throne by the eldest grandson of king and maintenance of absolute sovereign authority. It can be confirmed by the records which said that the Goguryeo Aristocratic Group of Koguryo in that time took refuge in China. The liquidation of Goguryeo Aristocratic Group burdened to the regal power of Goguryeo in the long term. After that liquidation the regal power lost its supporters and was weakened rapidly. It caused domestic turbulence. Maybe the calamities and inferiority of the foreign relation during the King Munja(文咨王)’s rein was the result of those series of affairs. Like this, from the King Munja’s rein there appeared the symptom of weakening royal authority. It was accelerated in King Anjang(安臧王)’s rein and in contrast the aristocratic power became stronger. Coming to the throne in this situation, King Anjang felt the necessity of regaining the regal power. So he worshiped the Founder’s shrine and conducted an expedition in a person by the king and so on. But all those efforts conducted without foundation that could support the royal authority hardly get the results. Rather they increased the threat of the aristocratic group who guarded against the strengthening of regal power and caused the regicide of King Anjang himself. The regicide of king An-Jang drove the political situation of Goguryeo to a full-dress confusion. And it resulted in the establishment of Aristocrats-coalition Government.

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