Haneuljae

During the Silla and Goryeo periods of Korean history, it played a role of critical importance, as the principal pathway between southeastern and southwestern Korea, and in particular between the valleys of the Han and Nakdong rivers.

In the Joseon period, this role was taken over by the pass of Mungyeong Saejae, and Haneuljae fell into disuse.

Seo (2001) contends that the pass played a particularly critical role in the diffusion of Buddhism into Silla from Goguryeo.

In addition, the area around Sangju; which would have been the first major city a traveler from the north would come to after crossing Haneuljae, became an early center of Buddhism, in contrast to the rest of Silla, which put up stiff resistance to the new faith.

), 길 위의 역사, 고개의 문화 (Gil wi-ui yeoksa, gogae-ui munhwa / The history upon the road, the culture of the passes), pp. 129–150.