한말 함경북도 鏡城郡 호적표에 보이는 戶와 住宅－戶稅 부담과 관련하여－

Abstract

The present study analyzed the characteristics of families and houses as appeared in the family register of Junam-myeon(朱南面), Kyongsong-gun, Hamgyeongbuk-do, created in 1901. The population of 2-ri(里), Junam-myeon in Kyongsong-gun was 2,691 and the number of families was 432. The number of family members per family was 6.23, and the average number of family members in Junam-myeon was a figure that far exceeded the national average at the time of 4.31. The total size of houses listed in the family register of Junam-myeon was 2,910 kan(間), and the house size per family was 6.74 kan. During the same period, the average size of houses in the southern regions of the Korean peninsula were two to three kan of straw-roofed houses. Considering the family register, the number of family members per family were greater and the size of the houses were larger in the case of Kyongsong-gun Hamgyeongbuk-do than other regions. However the high population per family and the larger house size is not a precise reflection of the natural conditions. The number of family members and the size of the houses in the family register were likely a figure combining two to three families. Since the Gabo Reform, the Korean Empire took action to strengthen its military power. But the increase of military power at the time was conducted without securing sufficient funds. The result of increasing military power for the purpose of strengthening the power of the emperor was the large scale expansion of the military in the Hamgyeong-do region. A considerable part of the funds needed to increase the military was burdened by regional locals. Because Kyongsong-gun was the location of the barracks of Hamgyeongbuk -do, it was sensitive to burdens in accordance with the increase of the military. Taxes for 1 family during the Korean Empire era was 3 liang, but it was often the case that people were burdened with taxes that were several times higher. In order to avoid excessive taxation, the Kyongsong-gun region increase the number of persons per family, and the family register was reorganized centering on the rich who possessed large houses with a size capable of bearing taxes.