조선총독부의 식민지 아동정책 수행과 강화(1927~1937)

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the process and intensification of colonial child policies implemented by the Government-General of Korea from 1927 to 1937, and to elucidate their nature. Through this analysis, three key characteristics of the Government-General’s colonial child policies were identified. First, following the resolution of the first National Child Protection Conference held in Tokyo in 1926, the Government-General of Korea established Children’s Protection Day in 1927. The event was restructured under the supervision of the Educational Affairs Bureau in 1928, with a focus on ‘nurturing’ and ‘childcare.’ The Government-General aimed to implement Children’s Protection Day as an annual event with a collaborative nature between the government and civilians within colonial Korea. Second, in accordance with the resolution of the second National Child Protection Conference in 1931, the Government-General changed the name of the event from Children’s Protection Day to Infant and Child Care Week, extending the event to a week-long duration. However, the content of the event was not significantly discussed during the conference, resulting in minimal changes to its implementation. Third, following the resolution of the third National Child Protection Conference in 1935, the event’s name was changed from Infant and Child Care Week to Children’s Protection Week. During this period, Koreans sought to preserve their identity by celebrating Children’s Day. However, the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in July 1937 led to the suspension of all gatherings and events, making it difficult for Koreans to observe Children’s Day. Nevertheless, the Children’s Protection Week organized by the Government-General continued until the end of Japanese rule. The Government-General retained the name Children’s Day for its event, demonstrating its complete control over this sole official celebration within colonial Korea. The Children’s Protection Week thus served as a tool for implementing Japan’s colonial child policies in Korea.