근대기 종람소 연구

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the overall situation of ‘Jongramso,’or study societies, which was one of the innovations of the enlightenment period that has lead to modern times in Korea. To this end, a total of 99 related articles were collected through a review of newspapers and magazines of that time. The period is classified into the modern enlightenment period and the Japanese colonial period based on this data. The changes in the characteristics of the people and places and the historical significance of the sense of place in regards to Jongramso are explored within the historical context of those times. In Korea, Jongramso was established in the late 1800s, and spread nationwide with the conclusion of the ‘Eulsa Treaty’. In the modern enlightenment period, Jongramso was mainly established by private individuals or public officials,# rather than institutions or organizations. It was mainly held in private houses due to the lack of resources. However, the situation changed markedly during the Japanese colonial period. With the 1919 Samil Independence Movement, the governing method of the Japanese Government-General of Korea transformed into “cultural rule,” and various associations, which were impossible before, began to take place. The movements were developed in such a way that various organizations such as ‘youth association’ were formed. These were the conditions which determined the characteristics of Jongramso during the Japanese colonial period. During this period, a large number of organizations appeared as the institutors of Jongramso, and the meeting places started moving into public spaces such as ‘youth center,’ ‘public hall,’ and ‘office.’ The meaning of the sense of place in Jongramso on the modern times can be viewed from three perspectives. First, the intellectuals of the modern enlightenment period recognized Jongramso as the initial form of ‘a place of modern education.’ Second, Jongramso should be understood in relation to ‘youth discourse’ during this period. The modern enlightenment period called for ‘youth’ as a means of planning for ‘nation building’,# necessary for the transformation into a modern state system. On the other hand, the Japanese colonial period called for ‘national reformation’ in order to restore the national sovereignty. During this period, ‘youth’ appeared as the catalyst to lead national movements. The establishment of Jongramso during this period developed alongside the cultural movements of youths. Third, Jongramso was a meeting place of young patriots for restoring national sovereignty and for national liberation.