I am Korean, and I think my ancestors may have witnessed UFOs

Exploring Historical Accounts of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in Korea’s Joseon Dynasty

Throughout history, humans have consistently documented strange sightings in the sky, often interpreting them through the lens of their cultural and historical context. Recent discoveries of detailed records from Korea’s Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) shed fascinating light on this phenomenon, suggesting that our ancestors may have witnessed unexplained aerial phenomena centuries ago.

The Joseon Dynasty was renowned for its meticulous court record-keeping. The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty (Joseon Wangjo Sillok), an exhaustive historical chronicle, systematically recorded a wide range of events—from political affairs to natural phenomena—whether or not the ruling authorities favored documentation. Among these entries, several descriptions stand out, particularly those that describe unusual objects in the sky.

One notable account comes from the reign of King Gwanghae, specifically dated August 25, 1609. The entry describes two intriguing sightings:

“In Gangneung, an object resembling a gourd bottle appeared in the sky, featuring a pointed top and a broad base. It seemed poised to descend rapidly, almost crashing to the ground. The object was red, leaving a white trail that resembled an aura. After its disappearance, a loud thunderous sound was heard.”

“In Yangyang, at the residence of Kim Mun-wi, a shiny, round object similar to a washbasin appeared suddenly. It appeared to descend toward the ground but then reversed course and ascended back into the sky.”

These vivid descriptions, documented over 400 years ago, highlight phenomena that bear remarkable similarities to modern reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The sightings occurred during daytime hours—between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.—in regions across Korea, including Seoul, Pyeongan Province, and Gangwon Province.

What makes these historical accounts particularly compelling is their consistency with contemporary UFO reports, both in descriptions and behavior. The objects are depicted with specific shapes, colors, and movements that are often associated with unidentified aerial phenomena today.

While interpretations of such sightings vary—ranging from celestial events, atmospheric anomalies, to extraterrestrial visitation—the meticulousness and detail captured in the Joseon records suggest that these observations were taken seriously and documented with care.

This discovery invites us to consider the possibility that encounters with mysterious objects in the sky are not solely a modern phenomenon but have been part of human history for centuries. As researchers and