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In this study the maturation of the
Sajok(scholar-influentials) of the Kydngsang-do province Yean-hyeon region will
be examined, in terms of the inner structure of the local societies, and the
taxation process inside those communities.
Up until the 16th century, there
had been a n ongoing incoming of population to the Yean-hyeon region, and these
newcomers established new settlements upon the outskirt of the original
residences. Later the original residences and the nearby new settlements
together formed a local society, based on their sharing the same heritage and
being descendants of the original residents.
In earlier stages the
scholar-influentials started to accumulate land around their own settlements,
and continued to expand. Yet they did not infringe upon other
scholar-influentials' perennial territory, because others were also accumulating
land in the same manner. As the perennial territories of independent Houses were
being established, the lands were also being divided into individualized
sections.
After establishing their own land, the scholar-influentials started
to recruit workforce from Nobi workers and ordinary civilians, and huge farms
began to be established. They became independent taxation units, and such
perennial territories armed with newly established farms came to serve as new
components for the organization efforts of My6n and Ri local units.
Based on
these changes, the Sajok scholar-influentials have started to actively interfere
in the taxation procedures of local units since the mid-16th century, marking
their own transformation from mere individualfarm owners into active
participants in the local tax
administration.
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