Village director - Kyonin

…It was established as an organization that carried on the tradition of local self-governance from the Goryeo period, where local yangban class members would assist and advise the shuryeong (local official) dispatched from the central government. Its head was called Zasu or Hyangjeong, and its members were called Hyangin. They were selected from among those with good virtue in the region, and were responsible for such duties as policing the customs of the village, inspecting the shiyori (police officials), issuing government orders, and conveying public sentiment to the shuryeong. …

*Some of the terminology explanations that mention "Gonin" are listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…高麗時代からの地方自治の伝統をひき，在地の両班（ヤンバン）層が中央から派遣される守令(地方官)を補佐･助言する機構として成立した。その長を座首または郷正，構成員を郷任とよぶ。地方の徳望のある者から選んで邑内の風俗の取締り，胥吏（しより）の糾察，政令の下達，民情を守令に伝えるなどの任にあたった。…

※「郷任」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報