Hojong ilgi (Diary of Royal Attendant) by Kim Yong

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.484

Category

Books & Records

Era

1593년(조선 선조 26년) ~ 1594년(조선 선조 27년)

Designated year

1968

Location

안동시, 경상북도— 경상북도 안동시

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

This Hojong ilgi (Diary of a Royal Attendant) was written by Kim Yong (1557-1620), a public servant during the Joseon Dynasty, when he was in attendance on King Seonjo at Uiju at the time of the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. Kim Yong, who came from Andong, passed the civil service examination, but soon left his public post to return to his hometown. However, upon the breakout of the Japanese invasion, he went to join the king. He later took part in the publication of the Annals of the Reign of King Seonjo. This diary covers the period between August 1593 and June 1594. The title, Uncheon Seonjo Hojong Ilgi (Diary of Royal Attendant Uncheon), appears on the cover. It was forgotten for a long time, but when it was found in September 1925, it was published in three volumes. Although Hojong ilgi is similar to Seungjeongwon ilgi (Diaries of the Royal Secretariat), it is a valuable source of historical material with its detailed record of political affairs written while Kim Yong was in attendance at Haengnaeso during the Japanese invasion. Moreover, it is also regarded as valuable for its description of a wide range of political, military and diplomatic matters as well as its record of private experiences written while Kim Yong was fleeing from the war.