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Memory of the World

Memory of the World- Republic of Korea
Ilseongnok: Records of Daily Reflections


Ilseongnok is a chronicle of the king's activities and every aspect of state administration compiled in the form of a daily journal in the late Joseon period, covering all state affairs from 1760 (36th year of the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon) to 1910 (4th year of the reign of Emperor Sunjong of the Korean Empire).

Ilseongnok originated from Jonhyeongak Ilgi (diary), the diary kept by King Jeongjo from his youth, as the eldest son of the crown prince, during his days at the Jonhyeongak Hall where future kings were educated. Profoundly impressed by Zengzi's remark in Noneo (The Analects of Confucius; Ch. Lunyu) saying, "Each day I examine myself on three counts," the monarch kept the journal from his early years to reflect on himself.

King Jeongjo continued to keep the journal after ascending the throne in 1776. But with the increasing amount of state affairs to handle he found it difficult to continue; so in 1783, the 7th year of his reign, he ordered the Royal Library officials to keep daily records and write out fair copies every five days for his approval.

It was not until 1785 that Ilseongnok adopted the style of description as we see it today. That year King Jeongjo instructed the Royal Library to compile a journal in a clear and well-organized style and format based on the records from his birth onwards, The Diary of Jonhyeongak, as well as Seungjeongwon Ilgi (The Diaries of the Royal Secretariat) compiled after his enthronement. The compilation was named Ilseongnok (The Records of Daily Reflections) after the aforementioned remark by Zengzi, which had inspired him. With its publication, Ilseongnok was transformed from the king's personal diary to an official daily journal of state affairs.






Ilseongnok comprises 2,329 volumes giving accounts of state affairs for the 151 years from 1760 to 1910.

King Jeongjo instructed Ilseongnok to be compiled in a different style from the existing Diaries of the Royal Secretariat, intending that it serve as material for the inspection of and reflection on state administration. Hence it has a clear, well-organized format, comprising Gang (headings) and Mok (related descriptions), and major pending issues regarding state administration were arranged for easy reference.