Draft:Law for the Examination of Enslaved Status

The Nobi Angeom Law (Law for the Examination of Enslaved Status) was enacted in 956, during the 7th year of King Gwangjong’s reign in the Goryeo dynasty. This law was intended to restore the status of individuals who had been forced into slavery. This wasn’t just because they were born as slaves, but because they had either been captured as war prisoners or had fallen into debt and were forced into servitude.

By carrying out this law, King Gwangjong shored up royal authority.

While the official purpose was to straighten out the chaotic social hierarchy after the turbulent transition from the Silla dynasty to Goryeo, the real intent was to cut down the power of the regional aristocracy (hojok) while bringing in more state revenue and firming up the monarchy’s control.

As a result, the financial and military power base of the hojok (landowning noble families) was weakened, while many former slaves moved up to commoner status. With their new status, they were now subject to taxation and labor obligations, which reinforced government finances and further stabilized royal power.

However, the law stirred up strong resistance from the aristocracy and brought about significant social unrest. In response, the government later came up with the Nobi Hwancheon Law (Law for the Reinstatement of Slave Status), which partially undid the effects of the Law for the Examination of Enslaved Status.

References

This document includes content based on the 'Unification of Goryeo' section from the Global World Encyclopedia, which was distributed under the GFDL or CC-SA license by Daum Communications (now Kakao).

{{1. Global World Encyclopedia. "Unification of Goryeo." Daum Communications (now Kakao). [GFDL/CC-SA licensed].]}}

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Categories:

• Slavery in Korea
• Korean caste system
• Society