Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty
The Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, commonly referred to as the sillok, stand as one of the most comprehensive historical archives in human history. Compiled and published by the state, these records document the reigns of the kings of the Joseon dynasty in Korea from 1392 to 1865. Spanning 1,893 volumes, they are widely considered the longest continual documentation of a single dynasty in the world.
Written in Classical Chinese, the records provide an exhaustive account of royal activities, administrative decisions, and court life. Due to their immense historical value and rigorous compilation process, the sillok (excluding the records of the final two monarchs) is designated as the 151st national treasure of South Korea and is listed in UNESCO's Memory of the World registry.
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Key Facts
- Duration: Maintained from 1392 to 1865.
- Scale: Comprises 1,893 volumes.
- Recognition: South Korean National Treasure No. 151 and UNESCO Memory of the World.
- Language: Originally written in Classical Chinese.
- Innovation: First royal records in East Asia to be printed using movable type.
- Accessibility: Digitized in 2006 by the National Institute of Korean History.
The Rigorous Compilation Process
The integrity of the sillok was ensured through a strict system of checks and balances designed to prevent royal interference. The Ch'unch'ugwan served as the state archive, but the daily heavy lifting was done by eight historians from the Office of Royal Decrees (Yemungwan). These historians accompanied the king at all times; no official business was conducted without a historian present to record the events.
From Raw Material to Final Draft
The process began with sacho, or "raw historical material," which were the daily notes taken by the historians. After a king's death, a special committee called the Sillokch'ŏng (Office of Annals Compilation) was formed to synthesize these notes into the final record. The compilation followed three distinct phases:
- Initial Draft (Chocho): Primary sources, including sacho and administrative records, were gathered.
- Middle Draft (Jungcho): The initial draft was refined.
- Official Draft (Jungcho): High-ranking officials reviewed and finalized the text.
To protect historians from political retribution, a process called secho ("wash drafts") was employed. Once the final version was complete, all preliminary drafts and private memoranda were pulped in water and destroyed to prevent leaks of sensitive commentary.
Editorial Independence
Historians were granted legal protection and total editorial independence. A famous example of this commitment occurred in 1404 during the reign of King Taejong. After the king fell off his horse while hunting, he explicitly ordered, "Do not let the historians know about this." The historian not only recorded the fall but also documented the king's attempt to hide it, illustrating that even the monarch could not censor the records.
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Preservation and History
To ensure the records survived disasters, the government created multiple copies and stored them in separate repositories across the country. Initially, copies were kept in Seoul, Chungju, Jeonju, and Seongju. During the Japanese invasions of 1592–1598, only the Jeonju copy survived, thanks to the efforts of private scholars.
Later, the government expanded to five repositories, including Mount Myohyang and Odaesan. However, these records faced further threats during the 1624 Yi Kwal's Rebellion and the 1636 Qing invasion. During the Japanese colonial period (1910–1945), many records were moved to imperial universities in Seoul and Tokyo. Some volumes stored in Tokyo were destroyed during the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, and the remaining 46 volumes were not returned to Korea until 2006.
The Controversy of the Final Records
The records of the last two monarchs, Gojong and Sunjong, are viewed differently by modern historians. Because Japanese officials interfered in their creation and curation, these volumes are believed to lack the impartiality of the earlier records. Consequently, they are excluded from the National Treasure designation and the UNESCO registry.
Summary of the Joseon Dynasty Records
| Monarch | Reign Period | Volumes (Gwon) | Compilation Start | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taejo | 1392–1398 | 15 | 1413 | Handwritten |
| Taejong | 1400–1418 | 36 | 1431 | Handwritten |
| Sejong | 1418–1450 | 163 | 1454 | Printed via movable type |
| Seongjong | 1469–1494 | 297 | 1499 | One of the largest sets |
| Seonjo | 1567–1608 | 221 | 1616 | Includes a revised version |
| Gojong | 1864–1907 | 52 | 1934 | Credibility compromised |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the records of the last two kings excluded from UNESCO?
The records of King Gojong and King Sunjong are considered to lack impartiality because Japanese colonial officials interfered in their creation and curation, compromising their historical credibility.
How did the Joseon dynasty prevent the king from censoring the records?
Historians were granted legal protection and editorial independence. Furthermore, the process of secho (pulping drafts) ensured that the raw notes and commentary used to build the records were destroyed, preventing the king from identifying and punishing specific historians for their entries.
What is the significance of the movable type printing used in the sillok?
Korea was the first nation in East Asia to print its royal records using movable type (both wooden and metal), starting with the records of King Sejong. This allowed for more efficient reproduction and distribution of the annals.
Where can the Veritable Records be accessed today?
The National Institute of Korean History digitized the annals in 2006. They are available online in both the original Classical Chinese and a modern Korean translation in hangul.
What happened to the records during the Japanese colonial period?
The records were placed under Japanese control. Some were moved to Keijō Imperial University in Seoul, while others were taken to Tokyo Imperial University, where many were destroyed during the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake.