KJCKorea
Journal Central

In this article, how the records were compiled, stored and managed during the latter half period of the Joseon dynasty is examined. In details, the compilation of <Seungjeongweon- Ilgi> and <Ilseongrok> and Euigwe, the establishment of ‘history chambers(史庫)’ and the Wae-Gyujanggak facility, and the creation of records such as ‘Shillok Hyeongji-an’, are all investigated. Examination of all these details revealed that in the latter half period of the Joseon dynasty, it was the royal family which actively led the task of meticulously compiling records and also storing & managing those established materials with great integrity and passion. The intention behind creating all these records containing everything the kings said and done over centuries must have been determination to enhance the openness and integrity of politics in general, while also emphasizing the importance of such values inside the government. In order to establish a tradition preserving records not only for a limited time period but also for eternity, ‘history chambers’ were founded in rocky mountain areas, and additional chambers(Wae-Sago) were created as well, in areas deemed strategically safe in military terms such as the Ganghwa-do island. Officials put in charge by the king himself of historical documenting reported to the history chambers on a regular basis and checked the status of the materials in custody, and the whole checking process was documented into a form called ‘Shillok Hyeongji-an’. And for long-term preservation of materials, officials sent by the king regularly took all the materials outside, and conducted a series of ‘desiccating procedures’, under strong sunlight(‘Poswae’). Thanks to the efforts of our ancestors who did their best to preserve all the records, and tried everything to manage them with great caution, we can examine and experience all these centuries-old materials, mostly intact. It is imperative that we inherit not only the magnificent culture of creating and preserving records, but also the spirit which compelled our ancestors to do so.

Seungjeongweon-Ilgi, Ilseongrok, Euigwe, history chambers, Shillok Hyeongji-an, ‘desiccating procedures’, under strong sunlight(‘Poswae’)