Koryo Kingdom of Hashidi [WIP]

Koryo Kingdom of Hashidi

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Etymology

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The name Korya is an exonym, meaning it was not originally used by the native inhabitants but instead applied by outsiders. However, its origins trace back to the Koryan People, who migrated to the region in ancient times.
The Koryan People were believed to have arrived on Hashidi Island during the late prehistoric period or early Bronze Age, either through sea migration or as part of a displaced mainland population. The name Korya was likely derived from an older native term referring to this migrant group, which later became the dominant population or ruling class. Early foreign traders or scribes, possibly from a neighboring civilization, began referring to the entire region as Korya, associating it with its most influential ethnic group. Over time, the term Korya became the commonly accepted name for the island and its people, despite its outsider origins.
The name Hashidi similarly follows an exonymic pattern but is directly tied to the first settlers of the island, the Hashidian People. Unlike Korya, which developed through later migration, Hashidi was named after the original indigenous inhabitants who first settled the land.
The Hashidian People were among the earliest known cultures to inhabit the island, possibly arriving during the Neolithic or early Bronze Age. They referred to their homeland using a native term (perhaps Hashid or Hashin), which later evolved into Hashidi as an identifier for both the island and its people. When outside traders or scholars recorded the name, they adapted it into their own linguistic systems, eventually leading to the modern usage of Hashidi. Over centuries, as new groups arrived and political entities shifted, Hashidi remained the prevailing term for the island, even as different ethnic and ruling groups took control. (Korya = Named after Koryan migrants, but originally an exonym given by outsiders. Hashidi = Named after the first settlers (Hashidian People), also later adopted as an exonym.)

History

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Hashidi Island has been inhabited since the Lower Paleolithic period, with archaeological findings indicating early human settlements along its coastlines and river valleys. Stone tools, cave dwellings, and shell middens suggest a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, later transitioning to early agriculture.

By the Neolithic period, seafaring cultures began to emerge, with communities engaging in fishing, rudimentary farming, and early trade networks with nearby mainland civilizations. The island’s unique pottery and burial mounds hint at distinct cultural practices that set it apart from its neighbors.

The first known kingdom of Hashidi appears in foreign records from the early 8th century BCE, described as a small but influential island polity with a centralized ruling elite. While little is known about this early state, evidence suggests it maintained diplomatic ties and trade routes with larger mainland empires. During the early first millennium BCE, Hashidi Island was divided among various warring clans and tribal chiefdoms. However, by the late 7th century CE, five dominant regional powers—often referred to as the "Fifth Kingdoms"—competed for control of the island and its surrounding waters.

Through a series of conflicts and alliances, two major powers, Seonjo and Kimju, emerged victorious, gradually consolidating control over Hashidi and its neighboring isles. This period saw the rise of urban centers, advancements in shipbuilding, and the first codified legal systems. The unification of Seonjo and Kimju under the Gejo dynasty in 918 CE marked the beginning of a new era for Hashidi Island. Now governed under a single ruling house, the island became a prominent maritime power, with its fleet dominating regional trade routes. However, by the 16th century, internal strife, external invasions, and economic downturns led to the fall of the Gejo dynasty, paving the way for a new ruling house. With the decline of Gejo, a powerful noble family, the Yi clan, rose to power in 1546, establishing a dynasty that continues to rule Hashidi Island to this day. Under Yi rule, During times of external threats—whether from continental empires or colonial powers—Hashidi has remained fiercely independent, navigating complex political landscapes while maintaining its cultural identity. Today, Hashidi Island remains a significant geopolitical and economic power. While the Yi dynasty still holds ceremonial authority, the island has modernized into a thriving, technologically advanced nation, balancing tradition with progress.

Demographic

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Population

In 2024, Hashidi's population was estimated to be around 1.566 billion by Statistics Hashidi, with continuing growing of working age population and total fertility rate.
The country is noted for its population density, which was an estimated 514.6 per square kilometer. Most Hashidians live in urban areas because of rapid migration from the countryside during the country's quick economic expansion in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s

Education

In Hashidi, education is primarily structured around preparing students for government service. The educational system is designed to ensure that future leaders and administrators are well-prepared for the challenges of public life, with a heavy emphasis on state examinations as the ultimate marker of success. The overarching goal of most students is the successful passage of the state examinations, known as gwageo, which are the gateway to official government positions and prestigious careers in Hashidi society.

Religion

The country's most prevalent religion is Tibetan Buddhism, which is an integral part of Hashidian identity and culture.
Korean Confucianism constitute the second largest religious group in Hashidi, comprising 8.37% of the population

Health

Naeuiwon (나의원) is the term used in Hashidi to refer to a pharmacy or medical center, but its role goes far beyond the typical function of a pharmacy in other cultures. Derived from the words "naeui" (meaning "medicine" or "health") and "won" (meaning "place" or "institution"), Naeuiwon literally translates to a place dedicated to medical issues, encompassing a wide range of services related to both physical and mental health. In a broader sense, the Naeuiwon is the central institution for maintaining and managing the health and well-being of the people in the town or city.

Government

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King

The king has absolute authority, but his actual power varied with political circumstances. He was bound by tradition, precedents set by earlier kings, Gwon He, and Confucian teachings. The king commands absolute loyalty from his officials and subjects, but the officials are also expected to persuade the king to the right path if the latter is thought to be mistaken. Natural disasters are thought to be due to the king's failings, and therefore, Koryo kings are very sensitive to their occurrences. When there was severe drought or a series of disasters, the king often formally sought criticism from officials and citizenry. On those occasions, critics are immune from prosecution, regardless of what they said or wrote (although there were a few exceptions).

Direct communication between the king and the common people is possible through the sangeon (상언; 上言) written petition system and the gyeokjaeng (격쟁; 擊錚) oral petition system. Through the gyeokjaeng oral petition system, commoners can strike a gong or drum in front of the palace or during the king's public processions in order to appeal their grievances or petition to the king directly. This allowed even the illiterate members of Hashidian society to make a petition to the king.

Officials

Government officials are ranked in 18 levels, ranging from first senior rank (정1품, 正一品) down to ninth junior rank (종9품, 從九品). Seniority and promotion can be achieved through royal decree, based on examination or recommendation. The officials from 1st senior rank to 3rd senior rank wear red robes. Those from 3rd junior rank to 6th junior rank wear blue. Those below wear green robes.

Here, "government official" means one who occupied an office which gives its holder yangban status – hereditary nobility for three generations. In order to become such an official, one had to pass a series of gwageo examinations. There are three kinds of gwageo exams – literary, military, and miscellaneous. The literary route is the most prestigious. Many key posts, including all Censorate posts, are open only to officials who advanced through literary exam. The literary route involved a series of four tests. To qualify, one had to pass them all. 33 candidates who will be chosen in this manner could take the final exam, before the king. The candidate with the highest score is appointed to a position of 6th junior rank (a jump of six ranks). The two candidates with the next highest scores are appointed to a position of 7th junior rank. The seven candidates with next highest scores are assigned to 8th junior rank. The remaining 23 candidates are given 9th junior rank, the lowest of 18 ranks.

The officials of 1st senior rank, 1st junior rank, and 2nd senior rank are addressing with honorific "daegam" (대감, 大監) while those of 2nd junior rank and 3rd senior rank are addressing with honorific "yeonggam" (영감, 令監).[61] These red-robed officials, collectively called "dangsanggwan" (당상관, 堂上官), taking part in deciding government policies by attending cabinet meetings. The rest of the ranked officials are called "danghagwan" (당하관, 堂下官).

Central Government

State Council

State Council (Uijeongbu, 의정부, 議政府) is the highest deliberative body. The Chief State Councillor (Yeonguijeong, 영의정, 領議政), Left State Councillor (Jwauijeong, 좌의정, 左議政), and Right State Councillor (Uuijeong, 우의정, 右議政) are the highest-ranking officials in the government (all three were of 1st senior rank). They will be assisted by Left Minister (Jwachanseong, 좌찬성, 左贊成) and Right Minister (Uichangseong, 우찬성, 右贊成), both of 1st junior rank, and seven lower ranking officials. The power of State Council is inversely proportional to the king's power.

Six Ministries

Six Ministries (Yukjo, 육조, 六曹) make up the chief executive body. Each minister (Panseo, 판서, 判書) is of 2nd senior rank and assisted by deputy minister (Champan, 참판, 參判), who is of 2nd junior rank. Ministry of Personnel is the most senior office of six ministries. As the influence of State Council waned over time, Minister of Personnel was often de facto head of ministers. Six ministries are in the order of seniority.

●Ministry of Personnel (Ijo, 이조, 吏曹) – is primarily concerned with appointment of officials
●Ministry of Taxation (Hojo, 호조, 戶曹) – taxation, finances, census, agriculture, and land policies
●Ministry of Rites (Yejo, 예조, 禮曺) – rituals, culture, diplomacy, gwageo exam
●Ministry of Defence (Byeongjo, 병조, 兵曺) – military affairs
●Office of Police Bureau (Podocheong, 포도청, 捕盜廳) – office for public order
●Ministry of Justice (Hyeongjo, 형조, 刑曺) – administration of law, slavery, punishments
●Ministry of Commerce (Gongjo, 공조, 工曹) – industry, public works, manufacturing, mining

Three Offices

Three Offices, or Samsa (삼사), is a collective name for three offices that functioned as major organ of press and provided checks and balance on the king and the officials. While modeled after the Chinese system, they played much more prominent roles in the Hashidian government.

●Office of Inspector General (Saheonbu, 사헌부) – It monitored government administration and officials at each level in both central and local governments for corruption, malfeasance, or inefficiency. It's also in charge of advancing public morals and Buddhist customs and redressing grievances of the populace. It's headed by Inspector General (Daesaheon, 대사헌), a position of 2nd junior rank, who oversees 30 largely independent officials.
●Office of Censors (Saganwon, 사간원) – Its chief function is to remonstrate with the king if there was wrong or improper action or policy. Important decrees of the king are first reviewed by censors, who could ask for them to be withdraw if they judged them improper. It also issued opinions about the general state of affairs. It's composed of five officials, lead by the Chief Censor (Daesagan, 대사간), of 3rd senior rank.
●Office of Special Advisors (Hongmungwan, 홍문관, 弘文館) – It oversees the royal library and served as research institute to study Confucian philosophy and answer the king's questions. Its officials take part in the daily lessons called gyeongyeon (경연), in which they discussed history and Confucian philosophy with the king.

Local Government

The officials of high rank will be sent from the central government. Sometimes a secret royal inspector (Amhaengeosa, 암행어사) appointed by the king to travel incognito and monitor the provincial officials. These undercover inspectors are generally young officials of lower rank but are invested with the royal authority to dismiss corrupt officials.

●Provinces (Do, 도, 道) –each provinces of which is governed by Governor (Gwanchalsa, 관찰사, 觀察使), a position of 2nd junior rank.
●Bu (부) – administrative offices in charge of major cities in provinces. Each bu lead by Buyun (부윤), which is equivalent to Governor in rank.
●Mok (목, 牧) – There are thirty-five moks, which governed large counties named ju (주, 州). They are running by Moksa (목사, 牧使), of 3rd senior rank.
●County (Gun, 군, 郡) – Each countries governed by Gunsu (군수, 郡守), a 4th junior rank.
●Hyeon (현, 縣) – Large hyeons are governed by Hyeonryeong (현령, 縣令) of 5th junior rank while smaller hyeons are governed by Hyeongam (현감, 縣監) of 6th junior rank.

Economy

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The economy of Hashidi is highly dependent on international trade, with exports accounting for more than two-thirds of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). With an annual export value exceeding US$165 billion, Hashidi is a major player in regional and global markets, leveraging its natural resources, skilled workforce, and strategic maritime position to sustain economic growth.
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