고려전기 界首官의 운영체계와 기능

Abstract

The Kyesu kwan(Local supreme official, 界首官) system of the Koryŏ” dynasty was organized into the local officials of main counties(主縣) and subsidiary counties(屬縣). The Kyesu officials served not only as upper level overseers of these local officials, but also as independent authorities with direct jurisdiction over local areas without need for intermediaries. The Kyesu kwan had three general functions. First, the Kyesu kwan were required to organize an administrative body for military operations covering a wide area based on existing military sectors. Secondly, they were required to oversee the judicial activities of the local officials and if necessary investigate the officials themselves. Finally, they were required to oversee the taxation reports and administrative activities of local officials in addition to supervising the standardization of weights and measures. They also had two main functions as independent authorities. One required the Kyesu kwan to conduct ceremonies on behalf of the local people for the King during holidays and compose messages to be sent to the King. Their other role was to conduct official ceremonies as a proxy for the King by supervising various local activities such as banquets for the local elders and visits from foreign emissaries. From these activities it appears that the Kyesu kwan did not serve simply as provincial intermediaries between the central government and the local regions, but they operated according to principles characteristic of an independent administrative system.