조선총독부의 문화재 지정제도 시행과 운영 실태

Abstract

This study delves into the cultural property designation system under the "Preservation Decree" during the Japanese colonial era in Korea (1930s-40s) and its impact on the current "Cultural Heritage Protection Act" in South Korea. The Republic of Korea's present cultural property system reflects elements from the colonial "Preservation Decree," especially in the cultural property classification and designation systems. Properties designated by the Japanese Government-General are now considered nationally designated cultural assets in Korea. Understanding the colonial period's preservation policy is crucial for comprehending the current cultural property framework. The need for a new cultural property law in colonial Korea arose with Japan's implementation of the "National Treasure Preservation Act" in 1929. Incidents of relic theft and site destruction prompted public demand for a preservation law. In response, the "Preservation Decree" was promulgated in 1933, combining relevant Japanese laws. It limited preservation to cultural properties designated by the Japanese Governor-General, justifying colonial rule but allowing arbitrary interpretation due to excessive discretion. The designation system led to a survey of potential cultural assets in colonial Korea, but not all surveyed properties were designated. Political and administrative reasons led to the exclusion of publicly recognized treasures or historical monuments from designation. The preservation committee, involving academic experts and high-ranking officials, saw Governor-General's officials compromising cultural values for industrial development or colonial rule. This issue manifested in the removal of cultural asset designations and changes in status. While the preservation policy aimed to advocate for cultural property preservation, it remained within the colonial rule framework. The Governor-General's selective preservation policy ultimately resulted in the destruction of numerous cultural properties in colonial Korea, as they were excluded from protection.