Abstract

A rumor in the late Joseon Korea was a kind of means of the resistance. A circulation of misinformation or frivolous stories was regarded as a rumor. Posting seditious letters in the public marketplace or on gates was also a media of rumors. These kind of rumors were frequently used as a powerful propaganda by rebels. Rumors at that time were often originated from the Record of Jeonggam(a book of prognostications). Therefore, when rebels tried to gain people’s support for their planed rebellion, the book was essential. The Musin Rebellion of 1728 in the reign of King Yeongjo was a representative upheaval initiated by a rumor from the late Joseon period. After the rebellion was subjugated, so called ‘the Musin remnants’ continued to spread rumors. Therefore the government accused any rumor mongers of being part of the Musin remnants. In the late Joseon Korea, especially in the 18th century, a lot of decayed nobilities were found among the list of rumor mongers. Even though they had a profound Neo Confucian knowledge, they could not posses any political and economic foundations. Along with Neo Confucian grounding, they also had an extensive understandings of popular thoughts like the Record of Jeonggam. They traveled all around the country and worked as a teacher, doctor, or geomancer. They could lead public opinion by spreading rumors which were originated from the Record of Jeonggam. The Joseon government tried to prohibit the record of Jeonggam from a circulation to prevent a political revolt it could cause. King’s vassals constantly requested the King to ban the book and, therefore, the King directed his people to cultivate their Confucian morals with diligence. Rumors tend to exaggerate the negative aspect of the society and it actually caused a considerable damages. However, rumors in the late Joseon Korea provided people with ways to express their suppressed feelings. The rumor mongers sometimes requested the political, social and economic changes of the Kingdom. They politically pursued an ideal governance by rebellions, and the equality of the people socially. Economic reform was also suggested. The arguments of the rebels including rumors were unscientific and unrealistic, but it played a significant role for the growth of the popular consciousness.