당의 입장에서 본 신라의 통일

Abstract

This article reconstructs the unification of three kingdoms by Silla from point of view of Tang, a supporting role in the war for the unification of three kingdoms. Tang declared the war against barbarians to be conducted by Heavenly Qaghan, and developed it into an international war encompassing both the Chinese and barbarians. Tang developed the righteous pretext for warfare gradationally, and provided the geographical basis and historical imperativeness of the influence growth. Under these circumstances, territorial claims of Han commanderies (Han si jun) functioned as the righteous pretext for invasion of Koguryŏ. After the defeat of the Tang campaign against Koguryŏ led by emperor Taizong himself, Tang allied with Silla in 648. The territorial boundary line in the treaty was the result of concession and compromise between Taizong and Kim Chun Chu, who claimed territorial claims of Han commanderies and the unification of three kingdoms respectively. The campaign of emperor Gaozong, on the other hand, aimed at the expansion of the empire. So, the territory of Paekche and Koguryŏ became under bridle rule (jimi). In 676, Tang defeated Silla, and was forced to withdraw from the Korean peninsula completely. It might also reflect Tang’s strategic considerations such as geopolitical factors in Hexi Corridor and stable security of trade routes which linked the East and West.