Chunchugwan


Chunchugwan was a government office during the Joseon dynasty. It refers to the office for recording history. During the Goryeo dynasty, it was known as Yemun Chunchugwan or Munhanseo, but the name was changed in 1401 after the foundation of the Joseon dynasty.

History

Many people associate Chunchugwan with Joseon dynasty era, but, in fact, Chunchugwan has existed since the Goryeo dynasty. It just begun to earn historical recognition from Joseon dynasty era. It started to be called the Chunchugwan from the time of king Taejong of Joseon. It had been called Yemun or Chunchugwan during Goryeo era.

Task of Chunchugwan

Officers of Chunchugwan are made up of eight men. Their official rank is low, between Jeong 6-pum and Jeong 8-pum, but they stay where the king is, for example, a royal progress, meeting with courtiers and attendance of morning assembly. They write Sacho, recording popular sentiment and king’s every movement. The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty is based on this recording.

Positions of Chunchugwan

There are no officers in Chunchugwan, because workers of other offices hold an additional position in Chunchugwan. Yeonguijeong take consul that is the leader of Chunchugwan, Uuijeong and Jwauijeong take governor and workers of other offices take rest of office positions. There are Jeong 2-pum and Jong 2-pum that each of them is two people, Jeong 3-pum and Jong 3-pum, and Jeong 5-pum and Jong 5-pum In Chunchugwan.

Modern incarnation

The name Chunchugwan is also applied to the building which houses the approximately 150 domestic and international correspondents who cover the Blue House, the official residence of the President of South Korea. The first and second floor of the building has a pressroom and briefing room, respectively. Presidential news conferences and daily briefings are held in the briefing room. This building was opened in 1990. Its traditional Korean gabled roof is covered with clay tiles to harmoniously blend in with the surrounding landscape. The name was chosen to emphasize fair criticism and strict objectivity in recording history.