19세기 후반~20세기 전반 강경 덕유정계의 지역 사회 활동

Abstract

This study set out to review the community activities of the Ganggyeong Deokyujeong Club, which was formed in 1828 to remodel and operate Ganggyeong Deokyujeong and lasted for many years. The public opinions of Ganggyeong community were dominated by the local rich commoners and property owners that gained economic power following the growth of port business including land owners and merchants from the latter half of the 19th century to the former half of the 20th century. They emerged as powerful influencers in the community based on their commercial capabilities in late Joseon and exercised their social influences via the Deokyujeong Club, which was Hyangsa Club of Deokyujeong, which was the Sajeong of Ganggyeong. In the latter half of the 19th century, the Deokyujeong Club held Dangsanje, Ganggyeong's local religious celebration, which proves that the club had the authority and responsibility to hold the local religious events. In addition, the club took a lead in determining the order of using farming tools, taking the role of the adult in the community for itself and deciding the priorities of farming tools among the farmers. Then the club started to build the stability of its operation based on its old influences on the community and ongoing connections with the government offices. It also managed the reservoirs for irrigation in Ganggyeong and Chaewoon and the taxes for the government and Doji for the land owners in Seoul, paid the expenses to repair the bank and port of Geum River through Ganggyeong, and supported the operation of Eunjin Hyanggyo by the request of the Hyeongam of Eunjin. Entering the former half of the 20th century, the club members kept their rich commoner and asset holder qualities as land owners and merchants. Now they focused on enhancing their social status as local rich men by recognizing the colonial ruling power and earning a reputation in the community. They tried to build their social reputation among the residents by participating in all sorts of social groups as well as assuming a leading role in the education promotional movement including supports for the foundation and operation of Bomyeong School, the operation of Ganggyeong General School, and the Mandong School. They also offered Deokyujeong as a gathering venue for all sorts of social groups. The club members held archery contests of all kinds to promote their presence across the nation and maintain their influence on the community.