This study aims to analyze the increase in eunuch activities during the reigns of King Yejong(睿宗) and King Injong(仁宗) of Goryeo(高麗) and their political significance. Research on eunuchs in the Goryeo period has primarily focused on cases from the late Goryeo period, often interpreting their role in relation to the personal characteristics of the monarch and as part of royal power consolidation strategies. However, such an approach has limitations in systematically examining the activities and presence of eunuchs in the early and middle Goryeo periods. Therefore, this study focuses on the reigns of Yejong and Injong, when the eunuch system became more clearly established, to analyze the changes in eunuch activities, their evolving roles, and their political significance.
The eunuch system in Goryeo followed the institutional framework of the Tang(唐) Dynasty while also incorporating influences from Silla(新羅) and Taebong(泰封). Although eunuchs had existed since the early Goryeo period, their roles were significantly limited, primarily confined to menial tasks within the royal court. However, during the reign of King Yejong, eunuchs began to extend their activities beyond their traditional roles, engaging in efforts to gain the king’s favor, such as constructing extravagant gardens and assuming distinct roles in court ceremonies. Additionally, eunuchs emerged as agents carrying out royal commands, and it is likely that they were even entrusted with the protection of the king and the crown prince.
Meanwhile, during the reign of King Injong, there are records indicating that eunuchs exerted significant influence over the king. The records related to eunuchs around the time of Lee, Jagyeom(李資謙)’s rebellion illustrate this clearly. However, after the suppression of Myocheong(妙淸)’s rebellion and the rise of Kim, Busik(金富軾) as the leading figure in state affairs, references to eunuch activities disappear entirely from historical records. This, however, does not mean that the eunuch system reverted to its previous state. The activities of Jeong, Ham(鄭諴) during the reign of King Uijong(毅宗) suggest that the expanded roles and activities of eunuchs established during the reigns of Yejong and Injong remained intact.
In conclusion, this study aimed to reexamine the status and historical significance of eunuchs in Goryeo’s political history by analyzing their activities and the changes they underwent during the early and midddle Goryeo periods. Expanding the scope of previous research, which has primarily focused on cases from the late Goryeo period, this study focused on analyzing how eunuch activities in the early and middle periods were connected to the later expansion of their political influence.