조선왕조실록 - Korean Annals of the Joseon Dynasty

Global Historical Significance of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty
1. The Longest and Most Comprehensive Historical Records

• The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty meticulously cover a continuous span of 472 years, from King Taejo (1392) to King Cheoljong (1863).
• It is a uniquely systematic historical record unmatched globally, unparalleled in both Eastern and Western historical traditions.

2. Objectivity and Reliability

• To maintain objectivity, even the reigning king was prohibited from reading or influencing the records.
• Official court historians recorded detailed daily events and the king’s words and actions in preliminary drafts called Sacho (史草), ensuring factual accuracy and credibility.

3. UNESCO Memory of the World Heritage

• Recognized globally, it was designated as a UNESCO Memory of the World Heritage in 1997.
• It plays a significant role internationally in promoting the preservation and importance of documentary cultural heritage.

4. Massive Scale of Documentation

• It comprises a total of 1,893 volumes, containing approximately 50 million characters.
• The annals comprehensively document diverse aspects including royal daily life, politics, economics, society, culture, and foreign relations.

5. Guaranteeing Independence of Historical Writing

• The meticulous practice of establishing an independent recording body (the Sillokcheong) prevented royal intervention, serving as an exemplary standard for historical documentation and record management today.

6. Timeless Scholarly Value

• The Annals hold immense value for the study of East Asian history, indispensable not only for historical research but also across various disciplines such as economic, political, cultural, and diplomatic history.

ConclusionThe Annals of the Joseon Dynasty stand out historically as an unprecedented, comprehensive, and objective historical record, solidifying its global historical significance in historiography and archival management.

조선왕조실록 개요 (Overview of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty)

조선왕조실록은 조선 왕조의 역사를 상세히 기록한 책으로, 태조 이성계가 조선을 세운 1392년부터 마지막 임금인 철종이 통치한 1863년까지 약 472년간의 역사를 담고 있습니다.

The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty is a detailed historical record that covers about 472 years of history, from the founding of Joseon by King Taejo in 1392 to the reign of the last king, Cheoljong, in 1863.

이 책은 총 25대 왕의 치세 동안 일어난 정치, 외교, 군사, 사회, 문화, 과학, 천문, 지리, 자연재해 등 다양한 사건과 활동을 세세하게 기록하고 있습니다.

It meticulously documents political affairs, diplomacy, military actions, social changes, culture, science, astronomy, geography, and natural disasters throughout the reigns of 25 kings.

왕도 함부로 볼 수 없었던 비밀스러운 기록으로, 신하들이 사실대로 적어야 한다는 원칙 아래 작성되었습니다.
These annals were secret records that even the kings themselves could not access, ensuring that officials wrote them truthfully.

1973년 국보 제151호로 지정되었고, 1997년에는 유네스코 세계기록유산에 등재되었습니다.
Designated as National Treasure No. 151 in 1973, they were inscribed as a UNESCO Memory of the World in 1997.

조선의 역사와 문화를 깊이 있게 이해할 수 있는 소중한 자료입니다.
They are invaluable resources for a deep understanding of Joseon history and culture.

보관 장소 (Storage Locations)

조선왕조실록은 전쟁이나 화재 등의 재해로부터 보호하기 위해 여러 곳에 나누어 보관되었습니다. 현재는 서울 국립중앙도서관, 규장각 한국학연구원, 국립고궁박물관, 제주도 등지에 분산 보관되고 있습니다.

To protect the Annals from wars and natural disasters, they were stored in multiple locations. Currently, they are preserved in the National Library of Korea, Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies, the National Palace Museum, and Jeju Island.

특히, 실록은 오래된 종이 문서이기 때문에 온도와 습도를 철저히 관리하여 보존하고 있으며, 디지털화 작업도 진행 중입니다.

As they are ancient paper documents, strict temperature and humidity control is maintained for preservation, and digitization projects are underway.

작성 기간 및 과정 (Compilation Period and Process)

조선왕조실록은 왕이 사망할 때마다 다음 왕이 즉위한 후, 실록청이라는 특별 기구가 설치되어 편찬 작업이 시작되었습니다.

The Annals were compiled every time a king passed away, and the process began with the establishment of a special office called "Sillokcheong" under the new king's reign.

사관들은 매일매일 왕의 일거수일투족을 기록하고, 이를 바탕으로 각종 사건들을 분석하고 정리하여 실록을 작성했습니다. 이때 기록은 철저히 비밀에 부쳐져 왕조의 간섭을 막았습니다.

Historians recorded the king's daily activities in detail, analyzed events, and organized them into the Annals. These records were kept strictly confidential to prevent royal interference.

주요 역사적 기록 (Major Historical Records)

• 임진왜란 (1592~1598) - Japanese Invasion of Korea (1592~1598)
• 병자호란 (1636~1637) - Manchu Invasion of Korea (1636~1637)
• 세종대왕의 한글 창제 (1443년) - Creation of Hangeul by King Sejong (1443)
• 실학의 발달 - Development of Practical Learning (Silhak)

작성 목적 및 방식 (Purpose and Method of Compilation)

조선왕조실록은 왕의 통치와 역사적 사건들을 사실 그대로 기록하여 후대에 교훈을 주고 역사의 왜곡을 막기 위해 작성되었습니다.

The Annals were written to provide truthful records of royal governance and historical events, offering lessons for future generations and preventing historical distortion.

이를 위해 사관들이 왕의 행동을 평가하지 않고 사실만을 기록했으며, 왕조의 입김이 미치지 않도록 엄격한 비밀 유지 규칙이 있었습니다.

To ensure impartiality, historians recorded facts without evaluation and maintained strict confidentiality to avoid royal influence.

A replica of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, Odaesan Archive Edition. The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty are historical records documenting political, social, diplomatic, economic, military, legal, and cultural aspects of the Joseon period. This annal was designated as National Treasure No. 151 in 1973 and was inscribed as a UNESCO Memory of the World in 1997.

VERITABLE RECORDS of the JOSEON DYNASTY