Goryeo Dynasty
In the 14 th year of the reign of King Seongjong (995), today's Provincial System first came into operation. The whole country was divided into 10 provinces and a centralized system was established, with local governors called Jeoldosa ( 節度使 ) appointed to each province. Sangju, then Yeongnamdo ( 嶺南道 ), had a governor in charge of 12 Jus and 48 Hyuns in Gyeongsangdo.
At that time, Gyeongju was called Yeongdongdo ( 嶺東道 ), including 9 Jus and 35 Hyuns, and Jinju, then Sannamdo ( 山南道 ) covering 10 Jus and 37 Hyuns in Gyeongnam.
※ Current Territorial Status of 10 Provinces Nationwide
① Gwannaedo ( 關內道 : Gyeonggi- and Hwanghaedo ·Hwanghaedo)
② Jungwondo ( 中原道 : Chungcheongbukdo)
③ Hanamdo ( 河南道 : Chungcheongnamdo )
④ Gangnamdo ( 江南道 : Jeollabukdo )
⑤ Yeongnamdo ( 嶺南道 : Part of GyeongsangdoGyeongsangdo)
⑥ Yeongdongdo ( 嶺東道 : Part of Gyeongsangnamdo
⑦ Sannamdo ( 山南道 : Part of Gyeongsangnamdo)
⑧ Haeyangdo ( 海陽道 : Jeollanamdo )
⑨ Sakbangdo ( 朔方道 : Part of Gangwon- and Hamgyeongnamdo)
⑩ Paeseodo ( 浿西道 : Pyeongando )
⇒ Another name of Gyeongsangdo, Yeongnam, originated from this Yeongnamdo ( 千年前 ).
In the 3 rd year of Hyunjong's reign (1012), Andong Daedohobu ( 安東大都護府 ) was established in Sangju in order to govern Gyeongju and Jinju. In the 5 th year of the same reign (1014), Andong Daedohobu was moved to Gyeongju and Anmusa ( 安撫使 ) was installed.
For better delivery of royal orders and official documents, dispatch of local governors and officials, and transportation of special commodities, 525 stations (Yeokcham - 驛站 ) were established and major roads were distributed in 22 provinces, named after major areas. The 25 stations that covered Sangjudo( 尙州道 ) via Sangju included Yugok (Mungyeong), Nakdong (Sangju), Cheolpa-Angye (Uiseong), Jibo (Yonggung), Songje (Imha), Mungeo (Cheongsong), etc. Gyeongsanbudo ( 京山府道 ) covered 25 stations including Naksan (Sangju), Gimcheon, Anrim (Goryeong), Heodong (Yeongdong), etc.
☞ Yeokcham: A station in which passengers transferred horses, served as a post office or lodging
In the 9 th year of Hyunjong's reign (1018), the country was restructured into 5 provinces, 2 communities, 4 districts (Doho) and 8 areas (Mokje). This system existed until the collapse of the Goryeo Dynasty. After that, Moksa was established in Sangju and Sangju-mok functioned as Gyesugwan ( 界首官 ) in charge of leading and supervising 7 Guns, 18 Hyuns and 2 Jisabus.
Sangju-mok was then in charge of 7 Guns, Mungyeong, Yonggung, Gaeryung, Boryung, Hamchang, Yeongdong, and Haepyeong-gun (17 Hyuns including Uiseong, Gunyu) and also included Imha, Yean, and Uiheung-gun in Andong-bu (10 Hyuns including Bonghwa) and Goryung-gun in Gyeongsan-bu (10 Hyuns including Daegu and Chilgok).
※ Current Status of 8 Moks Nationwide
① Sangju ( 尙州 ) ② Gwangju ( 廣州 ) ③ Cheongju ( 淸州 ) ④ Chungju ( 忠州 ) ⑤ Jinju ( 晋州 ) ⑥ Jeonju ( 全州 ) ⑦ Naju ( 羅州 ) ⑧ Hwangju ( 黃州 )
Jeoldosa, local governor, monitored the administration of local officials and had the authority to order promotion and dismissal, and was renamed several times as Anchalsa, Anryunsa, or Dogwanchalchulcheoksa.
In the 41 st year of Gojong's reign (1254), during the 6 th invasion of the Monggolian army, Charadae ( 車羅大 ), Mongolian general, attached Chungchu and Sangju Fortresses, but Sangju's Hongji, monk of the Euncheok Hwangryungsa, launched a counterattack, defeated half the energy, and forced them to retreat south.
In the 1 st year of King Chungsuk's reign (1314), Gyeongju and Sangju were renamed as Gyeongsangdo( 慶尙道 ), which has since remained the same throughout the Joseon Dynasty. The year marked the year of birth of today's Gyeongsangdo.