Tobang

Tobang (都房) was a Koryo Dynasty private military unit that originated as the personal body guard for Kyŏng Tae-sŭng 慶大升. After the military revolt of the generals in 1170 during the reign of King Uijong, a series of generals culminating in the Choe military dictators, held the real power in Koryo. In their first year, General Yi Ko 李高 was murdered by General Yi Ŭibang 李義方who subsequently died at the hands of Chŏng Kyun 鄭筠. Chŏng's father, Chŏng Chung-bu 鄭仲夫, had led the general's revolt. Chŏng Chung-bu next held sway for several years until he was overthrown by Kyŏng Tae-sŭng.

Kyŏng was the next to last general to seize power before the Choe family gained and consolidated military control for a longer period of time. Noting the great personal risk that had plagued the previous generals, Kyŏng organized a personal bodyguard of 100 troops, known as the Tobang, which attended him at all times. The Tobang disbanded upon Kyŏng's death but was reconstituted by Choe Ch'ung-hŏn 崔忠獻 shortly after he came to power. Choe expanded the Tobang and divided it into six units (Yug-bŏn 六番) which became known as the Yug-bŏn Tobang 六番都房. This enabled a regular rotation of the guards. When Choe Yi 崔怡 came to power, his private army became known as the Inner Tobang 內都房 and the Yug-bŏn Tobang, the Outer Tobang 外都房.

ee also

*Goryeo
*History of Korea