Preliminary Investigation On The Historical Value Of The Records Of The Border Defense Council Of The Joseon Dynasty

The Records of the Border Defense Council transcribed and copied by the Border Defense Council of Joseon Dynasty in chronological order is the records of meetings in which the agency discussed and dealt with issues. Its time span is from the 8th year of Gwanghaegun of Joseon Dynasty (1616) to the 29th year of Gojong of Joseon Dynasty (1892). Among these materials, only 273 volumes are left with 54 years'records lost. It not only keeps a detailed record of the participants and content of meetings held in the Border Defense Council, but also includes detailed opinions and arrangements on relevant issues resolved by the Border Defense Council of Joseon. The unique functions of Border Defense Council of Joseon turn the Records of the Border Defense Council into important records as a reference to the governmental administration of Joseon Dynasty. At present the academia more focus on the Border Defense Council of Joseon, but pay little attention to the Records of the Border Defense Council. Therefore, based on predecessors' researches on the Border Defense Council of Joseon and the Records of the Border Defense Council, this thesis discusses and analyzes the historical value of the Records of the Border Defense Council.This thesis focusing on the historical value of the Records of the Border Defense Council is divided into three parts. The first part expounds a general introduction to the Border Defense Council of Joseon and the Records of the Border Defense Council, including four aspects: the evolution of the Border Defense Council of Joseon, transcription of the Records of the Border Defense Council, content and scope of the Records of the Border Defense Council, collection and usage of the Records of the Border Defense Council. The second part analyzes the historical value of the Border Defense Council of Joseon from the perspective of operation, involving three aspects: the personnel changes of the Border Defense Council of Joseon, policy-making in Border Defense Council of Joseon, the progress of meetings of the Border Defense Council. The third part explains the historical value from the perspective of the government's policy, including six aspects: defense against Manchurian, contact of envoys, inquiry of drifting people, request for reinforcement, Cross-border and demarcation, direction and uniqueness of the policy.Through preliminary analysis and investigation on the Records of the Border Defense Council, The author believes that Records of the Border Defense Council can be considered not only as the meeting minutes of Border Defense Council of Joseon but also as the records of administration of the late Joseon Dynasty. On the one hand, Records of the Border Defense Council as the meeting minutes is studied to reveal the changes in holding and abolishing meetings and attendees. This study also highlights the leading position of Border Defense Council of Joseon in policy-making. On the other hand, from the perspective of governmental administration records, the thesis focuses on the details in Records of the Border Defense Council to illustrate both the planning and promulgation of policies and dynamicity and uniqueness of policy implementation.