월남 개성인의 정착과정과 開城의 遺産

Abstract

The armstice of the Korean War led to the incorporation of Gaesung into north Korea. Those who fled their hometown Gaesung to the south then became displaced, and immediately faced the task of settling in south Korean society. This paper aims to look into the role of Gaesung legacy on the settlement of these people in south Korean society. Gaesung legacy includes commercial tradition, ginseng cultivation, and strong internal solidarity and bond. These qualities played a major role during the settlement of uprooted inhabitants in south Korea. Due to significant commercial heritage, there were notable people of Gaesung origin who have engaged in entrepreneurship or business. Among those, some grew to the rank of conglomerates, others simply ran small shops in middle or small-size cities, which situations portray a wide range of spectrum. Such phenomenon were mainly attributed to their experiences in pre-division era of the peninsula, when many pursued mercantile operations. Also, Gaesung people of south Korea established companies and helped fellow immigrants. Their cooperation was demonstrated in the form of co-investments, or giving advice on corporate management. Ginseng cultivation attributed to the economic success of Gaesung people in south Korean society as well. Ginseng was almost their soul since Gaesung locals grew this medicinal plant since the 19th century. After their escape, Gaesung refugees in the south could not raise ginseng until 1957, when Gaesung Ginseng Industry Union was reorganized. Then, some made it their full-time occupation, while others merely acted as co-investors. To Gaesung refugees, ginseng was more than just a commodity, but a memory of everything they left behind in their home including families. Ginseng naturally was also their blessing because its cultivation brought them economic security. Impressive solidarity and bond of Gaesung people assisted fellow refugees who were poor or non-adult immensely in settling down in south Korea. In case of those teenagers who evacuated without parents, quite a few suffered economic hardships. Those who established themselves in the South aided those in need, and helped desperate hometown immigrants adjust well to south Korean society. Most of Gaesung people successfully settled in south Korea, and Gaesung legacy indeed was the dominant factor.