Dobang (都房), also written as Tobang, was a Goryeo Dynasty private military unit that originated as the personal body guard for Gyeong Dae-seung (경대승). After the military revolt of the generals in 1170 during the reign of King

Uijong of Goryeo Uijong of Goryeo (23 May 1127 – 7 November 1173) (r. 1146–1170) was the 18th monarch of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He honored his advisors with many ceremonies but hated the warriors, often forcing them to participate in martial arts compet ...

, a series of generals culminating in the Choe military dictators, held the real power in

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificat ...

. In their first year, General Yi Go (이고) was murdered by General Yi Ui-Bang (이의방) who subsequently died at the hands of Jeong Gyun (정균). Jeong's father,

Jeong Jung-bu Jeong Jung-bu (1106 – 18 October 1179) was a medieval Korean soldier and military dictator during the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392). He was a career soldier, qualified on military part of civil service examination. He was most noted for leading ...

(정중부). Jeong Jung-bu next held sway for several years until he was overthrown by Gyeong Dae-seung. Gyeong Dae-seung 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, Gyeong Dae-seung organized a personal bodyguard of 100 troops, known as the Dobang, which attended him at all times. The Dobang disbanded upon Gyeong Dae-seung's death but was reconstituted by

Choe Chung-heon Choe Chung-heon (1149 – 29 October 1219) was a military ruler of Korea during the Goryeo period. Choe's father was a Grand General in the Goryeo military, hence precipitating his own entry into the military. Choe witnessed military men become ...

(최충헌) shortly after he came to power. Choe 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 Choe U (최우) came to power, his private army became known as the Inner Dobang (Nae Dobang, 내도방) and the Outer Tobang (Woe Dobang, 외도방).

See also