Korea Civil Service Examinations and Records of Officials and Employees - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

This collection will include records from Jeollabuk-do and Jeonju-si, South Korea. The records are in Korean and Chinese, dated from 1392 to 1900, and include Korean civil service examinations from the Joseon Dynasty, as well as records of officials and employees.  

The Joseon Dynasty came to power in the late 1300’s, after the overthrow of the Goryeo Dynasty. The Korean kingdom experienced numerous conflicts through the mid 1600’s, but afterwards the Korean area experienced peace for about 200 years. In the latter part of the 1800’s, the Joseon Dynasty weakened due to increasing foreign influence, and the Korean area was annexed by Japan in 1910.  

The civil service examinations under the Joseon dynasty were known as the gwageo. These difficult tests were central to most education during the Joseon dynasty and assessed the applicant’s knowledge of Chinese classics and, occasionally, technical skills. Passing the tests qualified individuals to enter into the higher governmental or aristocratic positions.