Uigeumbu

thumb|right|250px|The site of Ŭigŭmbu in Seoul Ŭigŭmbu (), also known as Kŭmo or Wangbu, was the Joseon royal law enforcement body responsible for prosecuting treason and moral crimes based on Confucian principles (). Ordinary crimes were investigated and prosecuted by Hyeongjo. It played a crucial role in strengthening the authority of the monarchy.

== History == Sunmaso (), established during the reign of Chungnyeol of Goryeo when Goryeo was a Mongol tributary state, is the predecessor of Ŭigŭmbu. Sunmaso was originally created to monitor and meddle in Goryeo royal politics, under the pretext of maintaining public order. In its early days, Sunmaso patrolled the streets and policed burglary and theft, as intended. Toward the demise of the Goryeo dynasty, amid rampant corruption and chaos, Sunmaso's powers grew and came to include monitoring public officials in concert with Sahŏnbu (), quelling rebellion, routing foreign invasions, and defending the monarchy. In the late Goryeo dynasty, Sunmaso was renamed Sun'gunmanhobu (), indicating direct Mongolian influence.