[Opinion] Collective Works of Confucius

Traditionally, we are a nation that values records. Typical of it is the Complete Record of the Chosun Dynasty which was assigned as an international heritage by UNESCO. One cannot help but showing his deepest respect when he looks at the Chosun record, a collection of annals of daily reports which includes 1,893 books and 888 appendices, ranging from Chosun’s first king, Taejong, to its 25th, Choljong. It also includes Ulgwee, a pictorial book about the king’s outings and national events. Its high-quality editing and vivid descriptions have made the collection the very essential case of record culture.

There has been a strong tradition for recording among civilians as well. “The War Diary” by Admiral Lee Sunsin oozes his agonies when he had to serve as a foot solider even after a series of sea battle victories against Japan. “Baekbom Record” by Kim Gu disseminates his patriotic zeal. They have never put down their pens even in times of war and amid the struggle for their national independence. Many books and correspondence kept by traditional families are the confirmation of the nation’s record culture. Confucius scholars, who did not believe the world beyond the grave, wanted to get the rightful posthumous evaluations by historians with their records.

The nation’s passion for recording has begun to diminish since Japanese colonial rule. Unlike the Chosun kings who were under the close watch by two record takers 24/7, the presidents of the Republic of Korea preferred clandestine meetings. They shredded important documents or took them when they left office. It was in 2000 when the government enacted the law on the maintenance and management of public records and began to systemically maintain official records for the first time since the foundation of the country.

Dong-A Ilbo and the Korea Studies Advancement Center have joined forces in launching a campaign to collect the complete works of Confucius to enliven the nation’s proud cultural tradition. Experts believe that Chosun civilians produced at least 400,000 block books. Since the center will respect the personal ownership of them, many families are expected to help the campaign. I hope the campaign makes accomplishments that will surpass the complete collection of Buddhist Sutras