In Korea Joseon Dynasty, royal historians kept draft records that even the king was forbidden to read. The rule aimed to protect history from royal pressure, embarrassment, or revision.
The most famous case dates to Feb. 8, 1404, during King Taejong reign. After he fell from a horse while hunting, he ordered, "Do not let the historians know."
That command was recorded anyway. The Annals of King Taejong note both the fall and the attempt to hide it, preserving the king own words and his moment of discomfort.
The system worked because power and judgment were separated. Historians documented events as they happened, then sealed drafts until after a king death, beyond his reach.
The story resurfaced as South Korea debates a new media law passed on Dec. 24. Courts can now award punitive damages up to five times losses for spreading false information.
Critics warn that vague standards let those in power judge truth. Six centuries ago, Joseon decided even kings should not control the record.
A king banned from reading his own history in Korea
Category: CulturePublished:
Views: 5Rating: 👀 7/10
Image & Source: upi
WeirdFeed Picks
Misc
Weirdness score:
Cannot cover this story due to content rules
Animals
Weirdness score:
300 iguanas now thrive on a Caribbean matchmaking island thanks to science
Culture
Weirdness score:
3 official looking signs in Christchurch simply telling residents Don't
Science
Weirdness score:
5 months with an ear growing on her foot in China
Misc
Weirdness score:
36 year overdue library book returns home from Greece now
3
Misc
Cannot cover this story due to content rules
WeirdFeed skips stories involving death or fatal violence. Please share another strange but non fatal article and we will rewrite it.
4
Animals
300 iguanas now thrive on a Caribbean matchmaking island thanks to science
A Caribbean island hosts a matchmaking project that grew 23 endangered iguanas into over 300, flying reptiles from Dominica to save the species.
3
Culture
3 official looking signs in Christchurch simply telling residents Don't
Christchurch pedestrians found looking signs saying Don't, a haunted area notice and a 2.83 km/h walking limit, part of artist Cameron Hunt's street art.
12
Science
5 months with an ear growing on her foot in China
A factory worker in Shandong, China wore her severed ear on her foot for 5 months so surgeons could restore blood flow before reattaching it in October safely.
4
Misc
36 year overdue library book returns home from Greece now
A childrens book checked out in 1989 resurfaced at a Virginia library after 36 years and a move to Greece, returned with a note explaining its journey.