Royal Edict of Labor Exemption Issued to Gwangdeoksa Temple, Cheonan

This royal edict was issued in 1457 by King Sejo (r. 1455-1468) to Gwangdeoksa and Gaecheonsa Temples to exempt the temples’ monks from corvee labor. Signed personally by the king, the document demonstrates important aspects of such royal edicts issued during the early period of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910).

King Sejo was a regular visitor to Onyangoncheon Hot Spring, located in today’s Asan area. Once, on his way back from the hot spring in 1457, he stopped by Gwangdeoksa Temple and personally presented this royal edict. The document is a testament to the temple’s special status at the time as well as to King Sejo’s involvement in the protection of Buddhism and Buddhist temples.

The edict was originally issued as a single sheet but was later cut into three pages and arranged into a booklet. The cover is lined in blue silk and has a slip of white paper attached to it with characters meaning “Royal Calligraphy.” King Sejo’s signature, the date of issue, and the royal seal are found at the end of the edict.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08