The Korean Paekjong Under Japanese Rule: The Quest for Equality and Human Rights

by Kim,Joong-Seop

• ISBN13: 9780700717071
• ISBN10: 0700717072
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-04-04
• Publisher: RoutledgeCurzon

Summary

Traditional Korean society was characterized by a rigid hierarchy. The minority Paekjong were the lowest group of the lowest rank of the shinbun class system and were treated as outcasts throughout the Choson period (1392 1910). This book deals with their historical and social background, and their struggle for human rights and equality in colonial Korea through the activities of the Hyongpyongsa (Association for an Equitable Society), active c.1923 1935. The Hyongpyongsa was the longest lasting social movement during the colonial period and its activities provoked confrontations with fellow Koreans as well as with the Japanese colonial powers. Through analysis of the social environment as well as their actions, this study reveals the complexity of early 20th century Korea's drive towards modernization

Author Biography

Joong-Seop Kim is Professor of Sociology, and Director of the Centre for Reunification, Peace and Human Rights at Gyeongsang National University, South Korea.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	vii
Preface and acknowledgements	ix
Introduction	1	(12)
Aims and background of the study	1	(6)
Assessment of previous work in this area	7	(2)
The sources of materials	9	(4)
PART I Historical and social contexts	13	(36)
The paekjong: background and historical profile	15	(19)
Social status	16	(7)
The transformation of the paekjong community: 1890--1930	23	(11)
Origins of the Hyongp'yong movement	34	(15)
The paekjong's public relations and activities	34	(3)
The development of social movements under Japanese rule	37	(9)
The spread of the egalitarian idea	46	(3)
PART II The Hyongp'yong movement: 1923--1935	49	(122)
The birth of the Hyongp'yong movement	51	(18)
The launch of the Hyongp'yongsa in Chinju in 1923	51	(4)
The development and consequences of the Hyongp'yong movement in the early period: 1923--1924	55	(14)
The internal dynamics: 1924--1925	69	(17)
The factional dispute	69	(4)
Background and implications of the factional dispute	73	(13)
The external trials: 1923--1925	86	(21)
The Kimhae incident (Case Study 1)	87	(2)
The Ipjang incident (Case Study 2)	89	(2)
The Yech'on incident (Case Study 3)	91	(7)
The general nature of opposition and conflict in the early period: 1923--1925	98	(9)
Expansion and stagnation: 1925--1930	107	(39)
The growth of the organisation	108	(2)
The emergence of sub-groups	110	(6)
The national leadership in transition	116	(10)
Substantive achievements and outcomes	126	(11)
Growing concerns over social and political issues	137	(9)
Ideological tensions and the decline of the movement: 1930--1935	146	(19)
The dissolution controversy	147	(7)
The `Hyongp'yong Youth Vanguard League' affair	154	(4)
Transformation to the Taedongsa	158	(7)
Conclusion and addenda	165	(6)
Summary	165	(2)
Why was there less activity in the north?	167	(1)
Historical evaluation of the Hyongp'yong movement	168	(3)
Appendix I: Content analysis of newspaper materials	171	(2)
Appendix II: Illustrative extracts from the chronicle of the Hyongp'yong movement established on the basis of newspaper reports and articles	173	(3)
Notes	176	(21)
Bibliography	197	(10)
Index	207