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Annals of the Joseon dynasty
Inscribed 1997
What is it
This collection covers more than 470 years of the history
of the Joeson dynasty, from the reign of King Taejo
(1392–98), the founder, to the reign of King Cheoljong
(1849–63).
Why was it inscribed
The Annals of the Joseon dynasty are among the most
detailed and comprehensive dynastic historical records
in the world, and cover the rule of a dynasty that had
significant impact on Korean society.
Where are they
Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies, Seoul National
University and National Archives of Korea, History
Archives, Busan, Republic of Korea
In the Joseon dynasty, the concept of history as a mirror,
or exemplar, for government heightened the interest
of the state in the compilation of histories. The tradition
of preparing a history of each reign began with the
Annals of King Taejo, completed in 1413. This tradition
was continued throughout the dynasty, giving us the
basic record known collectively as the Annals of the
Joseon Dynasty, Joseon Wangjo Sillok.
The Annals of the Joseon dynasty cover more than
470 years to the reign of King Cheoljong (1849–63). With
the kings as the central fi gures, the annals are daily records
of the history and culture of the Joseon dynasty, covering
politics, military aff airs, diplomatic relations with China
and Japan, the social system, law, economics, industry,
transportation, communications, customary arts, crafts
124 Annals of the Joseon dynasty
and religion. The annals of a given king were defi nitively
compiled only when his successor ordered it. The materials
were collected from offi cial records, the most important
being Sacho (Draft History) and Shijonggi (Daily Records).
The main authors of the Draft History attended every
national conference and kept records of the details of
national aff airs under discussion between the king and
his offi cials. Sometimes they made character sketches
of people who had done good or evil deeds. The Daily
Records were placed in the custody of the Offi ce for Annals
Compilation (Chunchugwan). Nobody – not even the
king was allowed to read the Draft History and the Daily
Records except historiographers. Any historiographer who
disclosed the contents of the annals was severely punished
as a felon. The annals were printed and then preserved in
the historical archives under rigorous management, and to
ensure their safety, copies were placed in historical archives
in diff erent parts of the country. There are a total of 2077
books in the Annals of the Joseon dynasty.
These annals record historical facts about twenty-fi ve
kings, including information about their offi cials and their
other subjects. Three of these kings were outstanding:
King Taejo, who founded the dynasty after overcoming the
Goryeo dynasty, King Sejong the Great, who invented the
Korean alphabet, hang-gul, and devoted himself to the
development of science, and King Jeongjo, who established
the Kyujanggak, the royal library, which stimulated
literature and arts. The annals for the fi rst three reigns were
in manuscript form in excellent calligraphy. Thereafter,
they were printed using movable bronze and wooden type
with the best quality paper and bindings. Every volume of
the annals is a model of the Korean culture and technology
of its time.
� Chapter 3 of The Annals of King
Jeongjong, as reprinted in 1606.
� The book covers from the annals of three kings, Sunjo (1838), Heonjong (1851) and Cheoljong (1865).