The Construction of Jeseoksa Temple in Iksan during the Reign of Baekje's King Mu

This paper examines the establishment and reconstruction of Jeseoksa Temple in Iksan during the reign of King Mu of Baekje. Regarding the sequence of construction among the Wanggung-ri site, Jeseoksa Temple, and Mireuksa Temple, it is understood that Jeseoksa was built following the initiation of the Wanggung-ri site, and subsequently, Mireuksa was established. Notably, it is suggested that King Mu’s relocation of the capital to Iksan and the construction of Jeseoksa were closely intertwined. The political forces leading this relocation from Sabi to Iksan were King Mu and the political elites from Iksan, the region of his mother’s origin. As the construction of the royal palace in Iksan commenced, Jeseoksa Temple was built shortly afterward, around the early 620s. This effort reflects King Mu’s ambition to strengthen royal authority, as evidenced by the enshrinement of Buddha relics in Jeseoksa Temple. Jeseoksa Temple in Iksan was destroyed in November 639 and later rebuilt. The background to its destruction was significantly influenced by the creation of Mireuksa Temple, which was spearheaded by King Mu and the Iksan faction. As the Iksan group sought to expand their power through Mireuksa, the political forces based in Sabi resisted these changes. Additionally, King Mu’s shifting stance, distancing himself from the Iksan faction, played a crucial role. King Mu likely perceived the Iksan faction as an obstacle to consolidating his royal authority. Consequently, he sought to strengthen his power through the Sabi faction rather than relying on the Iksan group. This change is evident in his abandonment of plans to relocate the capital to Iksan and his renewed emphasis on Sabi as the central political base. In response, the Iksan faction strongly opposed King Mu and the Sabi faction, as symbolized by the destruction of Jeseoksa Temple. However, the Iksan group’s efforts failed to bring about significant political changes. This is further demonstrated by the swift reconstruction of Jeseoksa Temple, led by King Mu and the Sabi faction. This reconstruction underscored that the Iksan faction no longer held a dominant role in the political landscape of the time. Therefore, it can be concluded that the creation of the Wanggung-ri site, the establishment and reconstruction of Jeseoksa Temple, and the construction of Mireuksa Temple were all decisively influenced by the political dynamics surrounding King Mu.