베트남전쟁과 인천의 시정(市政) - ‘파월 장병 및 가족 돕기 운동’을 중심으로 -

Abstract

This study began with the finding that the academic world of Korea has no sufficient interest in the impact of the Vietnam War on Korean society. Earlier studies were mainly based on Korean-American relations, Vietnam special procurement, killing of civilians etc. However, the experience of ROK forces seems to have left a mark in contemporary Korean society. How did Vietnam War influence the society?During the war, the Park Chung-hee administration decided to support Korean soldiers dispatched to Vietnam and run army family support programs. This study examines the experiences of Vietnam War soldiers from Incheon and their families. Using local histories, it is possible to engage with the historical consciousness of ordinary citizens and their episodes. History from the bottom up provides a useful methodology to reexamine official narratives. With data from local newspapers in particular, the story uses interesting tales, and explores themes of Incheon’s Vietnam War experiences and campaigns to help soldiers and their families. The impact of the war upon the port city Incheon is considered in relation to war casualties, gift delivery, military family life counseling, national mobilization policies etc. It was probable that presidential and general elections were manipulated by the central and local governments supporting soldiers and their families through social welfare program. This study will excite great interest from local audiences and are invaluable in encouraging an interest in local history as well as in making sense of the history of Korea’s Vietnam War. Moreover, Incheon city should pay attention to settling past affairs as well as to providing compensation benefits for Vietnam veterans. I hope Quy Nhơn, the first sister city of Incheon, will be back peacefully.