Jungbang

Jungbang (重房) was a political body in Goryeo in which a total of 16 Sangjanggun and Daejanggun of the Two Armies and Six Guards met to deliberate on military affairs.

Overview

It is presumed to have been established during the reign of Hyeonjong, but it first appears in the records in the 21st year of Uijong's reign (1167). As a kind of power organ led by military officials, Jungbang stood in contrast to the Dodang of the civil officials, but it had little influence while civil officials held political power and wielded authority.

However, after the Jeong Jung-bu Rebellion and the establishment of the Military regime by military officials, its functions expanded and became more active, and it became the core of military rule. Accordingly, it at one point became the highest administrative organ, handling not only military affairs but also policing, criminal justice, and other matters of state (baeksa), while also monitoring the king's movements and maintaining close contact with the king. Military rule was so closely associated with Jungbang that it was said that military rule was Jungbang rule, and the military officials held Jungbang in high regard. In addition, the heads of Jungbang also occupied civil posts such as those in the Chungseo Munha Seong (Secretariat-Chancellery), the Chumilwon (Council of Privy Affairs), the Sangseo Seong (Department of State Affairs), and the Six Ministries of the Sangseo Seong, and some of them also took positions as chief ministers.

In the early military regime, as several military leaders associated with one another and wielded power, the traditional Jungbang remained as their military headquarters. Civil officials also sometimes concurrently held the posts of sangjanggun and daejanggun and attended Jungbang meetings. However, after the rise to power of Choe Chung-hun, significant changes and development occurred in the political institutions, and Jungbang gradually lost its power and came to handle only military duties. Afterwards, the Gyojeong-dogam took over the role of Jungbang.

References

• This article includes content based on the content of the Global World Encyclopedia distributed under the GFDL or CC-SA license by Daum Communications (now Kakao).