고려초기 侍衛軍의 樣相과 禁軍의 성립

Abstract

This study has examined general features of such royal forces as Naegun, Bokgap, and Siwi Gunjol (royal guard soldiers), and further traced the time of the formation of Geumgun, the core royal army in the early Koryo period. Before the full-scale establishment of culture and institutions, it was Naegun and Siwi Gunjol that took charge of guarding the king at a short distance. With King Gwangjongs strengthening of regal power, royal forces were greatly reinforced by the enlargement of their size. At that time, the people in provinces who had a fine appearance were selected to become royal armed forces. During the reign of King Gyeongjong, there was an attempt to gradually reduce the armys size. Then, on the recommendation of Choi Seung-no, King Seongjong reshuffled royal forces on a large scale. Generally speaking, a royal armed force was necessary to strengthen regal power. Thus Chois recommendation to reduce the size of royal troops and King Seongjongs acceptance of his advice were to make them an elite corps and finally institutionalize them as kings own forces. The period of King Seongjongs reign witnessed the restructure of the royal army as Geumgun. In sum, Koryos Geumgun was institutionally established during the reign of King Seongjong.