여악을 전승한 예인으로서의기생에 대한 왜곡에 관한 연구 Ⅰ －기생과 성병검사와의 관련성 및 실시여부를 중심으로－

Abstract

This research intended to correct the errors of existing researches by clearly investigating the social characteristics of Joseon women, who were the target of STD testing executed between February, 1906 and June, 1908, and suggest a necessity of a new interpretation of social implication of STD testing on Gisaeng(Gwangi) and social characteristics of Gisaeng of that period by concretely investigating any gap between legal regulation and actual practice of STD testing on Gisaeng since the execution of 「Gisaeng regulation law」 on September 25, 1908. Between February, 1906 and June, 1908, Japanese residency-general conducted forced STD testing targeting Joseon prostitutes of Gyeongseong(Seoul). But Gisaeng (Gwangi) was not target of STD testing during that period. Since enactment of 「Gisaeng regulation law」 on September 25, 1908, ‘checkup of Gisaeng’ was specified in 「Standard of Gisaeng Association Regulation」. But ‘health certificate’ was requested only on prostitutes in 「Enforcement regulations of Gisaeng and prostitute regulation」 on October 6, also, ‘health certificate’ was requested only on prostitutes in 「Detailed enforcement regulations of Gisaeng and prostitute regulation」, in case of Gisaeng, ‘address and name of artistic teachers’ was requested. Also, considering that there were newspaper articles regarding checkup was conducted on Gwangi 6 months later, in March, 1909, checkup for Gisaeng was not conducted during the 6 months after enforcement of 「Gisaeng regulation law」. Furthermore, these articles were not determined with whether of execution, since they were unconfirmed report. After Korea and Japan annexation in 1910, on March 31, 1916, a right for request on checkup to Gisaeng was given to police chief by the national unified law, Japanese Government General of Joseon Gyeongmuchonggamburyeong no.3 based on 「Rule of Yegi․Jakbu․Yegichiok business regulation」, however, after 3 weeks since enactment of this law, according to 『Maeil Sinbo』 dated May 21, 1916, Gisaeng of ‘Gwanggyo Gisaeng Association’ and ‘Dadong Gisaeng Association’, composed of Gwangi from Gyeongseong and the provinces, did not take health examination. Also, Gisaeng of ‘Sinchang Gisaeng Association’ were also promoted and did not take health examination, and whether of actual execution of regular checkup on Gisaeng was not confirmed until termination of colonial period, even after change of Gisang Association to Japanese style Gwonbeon system. That is, it can be said, since enforcement of 「Gisaeng regulation law」 on September 25, 1908, regular checkup on Gisaeng was not conducted through the whole colonial period. This way, official and periodic checkup was not conducted targeting every Gisaeng of the whole nation during Korean Empire period and colonial period, and since ‘checkup of Gisaeng’ did not mean ‘Gisaeng was prostitute under state-regulated prostitution system’, accordingly, the interpretation, ‘Gisaeng became low-graded and target of control by being included in Japanese state-regulated prostitution system just like prostitutes’ only based on ‘temporary checkup’ records, is an excessive distortion. Even if any checkup record of Gisaeng is discovered later, Gisaeng(Gwangi) was clearly differentiated legally․politically․socially from prostitutes(street girls) under state-regulated prostitution system. Because, not every Gisaeng(Gwangi) practiced prostitution or had venereal disease. In conclusion, checkup execution plan of The Empire of Japan onto Gisaeng(Gwangi) during Korean Empire period and colonial period was a safety measure considering the job characteristics of Gisaeng and hygiene, a preventive attempt, which was scarcely executed.