The two documents constituting the nominated heritage are artifacts of collective actions undertaken by independent intellectuals of the Joseon period (1392-1910), to influence reforms in important state affairs toward ethical politics prescribed by Confucian ideology. Propelled by intellectuals in the countryside, who campaigned to formulate public opinion, these collective appeals were submitted to the king. Of seven known mass campaigns, only these two original petitions remain. Entitled Maninso, (“Ten Thousand People’s Petition”) the appeals are signed by the petitioners in their own hands. The petition of 1855 is signed by 10,094 persons. The petition of 1884 has 8,849 signatories.