This paper divides the history of Hangeul literature published in Joseon into five periods, and investigates trends and characteristics of it in terms of the periods. In the 1st period (1443~1469 A.D.), from the creation of Hangeul to the days of King Yejong, translations of Buddhist scriptures by the Royal family and the governmental organizations occupied the majority. In the 2nd period (1470~1592), from the days of King Seongjong to the time just before Japanese Invasion in 1592, Buddhist scriptures and edificational books began to be published in provinces, and translations of Confucian scriptures were published by the central government. In the 3rd period (1592~1724), from the breakout of the Japanese Invasion to the days of King Gyeongjong, military books, medical books, and books for foreign language learning were intensely published for the practical need after the war. In the 4th period (1725~1800), the days of King Yeongjo and King Jeongjo, as the name of this period, Joseon’s Renaissance indicates, various kinds of Hangeul literature were published in many disciplines. In the 5th period (1801~1894), from the days of King Sunjo to the Gabo Reform in 1894, as the publication of commercial novels were in vogue among general publics and a lot of translations of the Western Christianity books were published while traditional translations of Chinese classics were declining, Hangeul literature began to show the new features of renovation totally different from those of the past.