This study selected two representative Yu-seo (Compiled books made up of contents from various sources), Jibong-yuseol (芝峯類說) and Seongho-saseol-yuseon (星湖僿說類選) from the late Joseon Dynasty and analyzed the characteristics of each of them with the aim of organizing the knowledge. Then it drew a conclusions about the characteristics after comparing them focusing on the classification system.
The classification and list contents of the Jibong-yuseol (芝峯類說) were reviewed from the 17th Century while referring to the contents listed in Jibongjib (芝峯集), the characteristics and significance of knowledge organization of Lee Su-Gwang (李?光) were also analyzed. The other research was conducted from the 18th century, the Seongho-saseol (星湖僿說) and the edited versions of Seongho-saseol-
yuseon (星湖僿說類選) based on it were scrutinized, to trace how Ahn Jeong-Bok (安鼎福) edited the articles of Lee Ik (李瀷), and also how he clarified the characteristics and significance of knowledge organization work.
First, the knowledge organization characteristics of Lee Su-Gwang and Ahn Jeong-Bok are summarized as follows:
1) Lee Su-Gwang''s knowledge organization characteristics are (1) Use of abridgement editions, (2) Emphasis on Novels and acceptance of heresy (3) Focus on writing in Korea (4) Independence of poetry and undifferentiated history part.
2) Ahn Jeong-Bok''s knowledge organization characteristics are (1) Classification system by hierarchy, (2) Arranging duplicate entries, (3) Changing of article''s entries, (4) Reclassification of items into another group (5) The synthesis of articles.
Second, the study results comparing classification system of the two books are as follows:
(1) In the case of the classification system of Seongho-saseol-yuseon, 20 parts and 125 sections are rather simpler than that of Jibong-yuseol, which consisted of 25 parts and 182 sections, while the 5 larger parts are different. So the information and knowledge can be grasped by a wide three-tiered vision in Seongho-saseol-yuseon.
(2) Lee Soo-Gwang''s ‘extra course part’ is succeeded by Ahn Jeong-Bok''s ‘heresy part’. The content is also diverse, as it encompasses not only Buddhism, Taoism, Medical health care, but also includes Catholicism, and other classes of philosophers.
(3) Lee Soo-Gwang''s tradition, which emphasizes novels, is continued by Ahn Jung-Bok to some extent. Ahn established ‘miscellaneous novels'' section in the history part and does not completely exclude novels.
(4) The tradition of Lee Soo-Gwang, who values the works of Korea, is strongly inherited by Ahn Jeong-Bok. Lee Ik’s writing itself strengthened the characters, history, culture of Korea and put priority Korea over China. Ahn Jeong-Bok also focused on Korean people and history, including the entry of ‘the articles of Korean History’.
(5) Ahn Jung-bok succeeded the tradition of Lee Soo-Gwang, whose poems part are independent and different from the Chinese Yu-seo system. Dealing with letters, the 2 parts and 11 sections of Ahn is rather brief than the 30 sections of Lee.
In conclusion, Lee Soo-Gwang and Ahn Jeong-Bok can be seen as having carried out the knowledge organization work appropriate to the situation in Joseon, without the restraint of the Chinese Yu-seo system.