新羅軍主考

On the Koonju of Silla dynasty

The Koonju, established in the early 6th centary on the reign of King Ji-jung(智證), was the governor of province in the Silla dynasty. But it was not merely chief of local administration, but a typical ruling organ similar to Sang-daedung(上大等), Byeong-buryong(兵部令), of the middle ancient period. Increasing the numbers of the local governor was considered as a symbol of expanding territory and national growth of Silla. The local administrative system of Silla, was grown on three directions: western, northern and southern courses. The western is the relation with Baekje(百濟), northern Go-gureo(高句麗), and southern Ga-ya(伽倻). But in the wake of national growth, generally under the reigns of kings. Ji-jung, Bop-hung(法興), and Jin-hung(眞興), the tribal survivals were replaced by the midway-organ of central government, which was called the Koonju. In the so-called middle ancient period of Silla, Koonju was an actual military, adminstrative director and powerful person as a preceeding post of Sang-dae dung, Byeong-buryong. In this period, we can find the well-known generals including Kim-Yusin(金庚信), and Ie-sabu(異斯夫), as a Koonju. In the middle period(中代), King’s despotic age, the Koonju was local officer simply. Therefore, it had not a military functions, and left no-distinct activities. We can see Kim-dae moon(金大問), a noted scholar, as the Koonju of Han San(漢山) province. But Kooju, during the late period(下代), was reappeared as local lords. It was not a regional officer, but a core of new power against central government. The Kooju was a leading media of peasant revolt, and the stepping stone of the Ho-jok, (豪族), provincial landlord, under the nadmes of general, lord of castle, who possessed each own private army and manor in each respective zone.