Tobang

Tobang
Hangul	도방
Hanja	都房
Revised Romanization	Dobang
McCune–Reischauer	Tobang

Dobang (都房), also written as Tobang, was a Goryeo Dynasty private military unit that originated as the personal body guard for Kyong Tae-sung. After the military revolt of the generals in 1170 during the reign of King Uijong of Goryeo, a series of generals culminating in the Ch'oe military dictators, held the real power in Goryeo. In their first year, General Yi Ko was murdered by General Yi Ui-bang who subsequently died at the hands of Chŏng Kyun (정균).

Chŏng's father, Chŏng Chung-bu next held sway for several years until he was overthrown by Kyong Tae-sung.

Kyong Tae-sung 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, Kyong Tae-sung organized a personal bodyguard of 100 troops, known as the Dobang, which attended him at all times. The Dobang disbanded upon Kyong Tae-sung's death but was reconstituted by Ch'oe Ch'ung-hŏn shortly after he came to power. Ch'oe expanded the Dobang and divided it into six units (Yuk-beon 육번) which became known as the Yuk-beon Dobang (육번도방) This enabled a regular rotation of the guards. When Ch'oe U came to power, his private army became known as the Inner Dobang (Nae Dobang, 내도방) and the Outer Tobang (Woe Dobang, 외도방).

See also