• Korean Security Journal
• /
• no.36
• /
• pp.139-176
• /
• 2013

It is believed that the Koryo dynasty era is the period which has very special meaning with regard to the history of the VIP guard system. The guard system in the early Koryo dynasty time focused on the official protection for kings and their families with absolute royal authority. On the contrary, the guard system in the late Koryo dynasty time, especially military regime period, conducted providing private protection for military rulers and increasing their power. The official guard troops named 2Gun6Wii became just perfunctory organizations at that time. That is the reason why this study develops the discussion only about the guard system of the early Koryo time. The official VIP guard organizations under the government structure of the early Koryo period were Naegoonbu, Byeongbu and Joongchoowon. This study particularly reviewed the Joongchoowon with thorough research. In the meantime, the guard organizations under the military chart of the early Koryo period were 2Gun6Wii, Gonghakgoon, Geonryonggun and so on. 2Gun consisted of ungyanggun and yonghogun. They were the royal bodyguards. This study especially tried to review the substance of the Gonghakgoon, Geonryonggun with different point of view from other theories. The Gumowwii, one of 6 Wii, conducted many official duties such as royal palace protection, capital city Gaesung defence, area patrols, criminal apprehension and disturbance prevention. It also accomplished crowd control and convoy mission at the streets to respond emergency cases while carrying out VIP protection roles for kings and Chinese diplomats. Many bibliographies verified that the Chunwoowii was the royal bodyguards which helped kings during state ceremonies and grand meetings held by kings. Consequentially, it is true that this study discovered, analyzed and evaluated various references and research materials related with the guard system. It is meaningful that this study newly reviewed the organizations and functions of the guard system as one structure.