Dongnyeong Prefectures were administrative divisions of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty of China located in the northwest Korean Peninsula between 1259 and 1290.[1]
History
In October 1269, Choe Tan (Korean: 최탄; Hanja: 崔坦), Han Sin (한신; 韓慎), Yi Yeon-nyeong (이연령; 李延齡), Gye Mun-bi (계문비; 桂文庇) and Hyeon Hyo-cheol (현효철; 玄孝哲) rose in rebellion in order to exclude Im Yeon (임연; 林衍), Military Leader of Goryeo, and surrendered to Yuan dynasty with 60 prefectures and cities in northwest part of Goryeo.[2] In following year, Yuan dynasty established Donggyeong prefecture at former west prefecture. Jabi Pass (자비령; 慈悲嶺) as a border belonged to Liaoyang ministry nominated Choe Tan as a commander.[3]
In 1276, Donggyeong prefecture got promoted to Donggyeong circuit.[4] This promotion there was no description in Goryeosa. Also in the clause of August, 1276 and February 1290, the description of Donggyeong prefecture can be seen.[5] It is inferred that Donggyeong circuit was renamed as Donggyeong prefecture shortly.
After this, the political relationship between Yuan dynasty and Goryeo was strengthen. In July 1290, Donggyeong prefecture was abolished and jurisdiction was transferred to Goryeo, ending the prefecture's 20 years of history.[6]
Controversy
In Goryeosa, there were some records (New year's clause in 1364,[7] November's clause in 1369[8] and new year's clause in 1370[9]) tells that Donggyeong prefecture was established in Yuan dynasty again. However, there were no descriptions about Donggyeong prefecture in China's records after 1290. In the end of Yuan dynasty, it suddenly appeared in Goryeosa. There are two hypotheses about this. One is that in 1290, Donggyeong prefecture was not abolished but transferred to Liaoyang area. And the other was that Donggyeong prefecture was abolished in 1290,[10][11] but reestablished in Yuan dynasty in the period of confusion.[12]
