Retrospect and Prospect of the Studies on Early Joseon History(2017~2018)

This essay has reviewed major trends in the studies of early Joseon history for the years of 2017~2018. I will conclude with some remarks. 1) It is a matter of grave concern that, in spite of the considerable quantitative increase of research, inflow of new scholars lies in a phase of decline. 2) Works on study trends or historiography seem to be in need of enlargement. 3) Local history should be carried out in the context of the issues of the central government. 4) Researches using big data deserve particular attention. 5) Studies dealing with meta discourses still remained far less than to be expected. Those studies would be very useful to solve the many issues and problems of the current society. 6) Although it is surely appropriate and recommendable to approach Joseon history with new ideas and perspectives, some researches show immoderate scholarly attitude and excessive claims as if their ideas and perspectives would have contained absolute truth. It should be reminded that no historian can overcome to a certain extent the circumstance to which he/she is subordinate, and thus every historical writing is limited by its own subjective interpretation. New endeavors themselves indeed owed much to the traditional historical knowledge accumulated by the previous generations.