한국전쟁기 북한의 점령과 지방사회의 변화

North Korean Occupation of South Korea and the Change of Rural Society during the Korean War : Case Study of Sihueng Gun County, Kyonggi Do Province

Siheung County was occupied by North Korea during the early period of Korean War. The two and half months of occupation by North Korea reflected general aspects of North Korean occupation policies as well as particular characters of Siheung County case. The most distinguishing character of North Korean occupation policies was that North Korea aimed long-term and permanent occupation of South Korea. The occupation administration was prepared with extreme care and meticulousness by North Korea. And it was readjustment of North Korean administration system into South Korea. The restoration of county branch of Korean Labor Party(KLP), the temporary Peoples’ Committee, and social groups started shortly after the occupation of Siheung County in July 3. The administration of North Korean occupation was well organized and efficient. Second, the occupation was long time as well as long-range prepared by North Korea. The administrative officers down to the county, towns, and villages’ level were selected with the native Koreans, but the officers of core power structure such as Labor Party and Police Department were dispatched from North Korea. Third, the Sihueng County branch of KLP was very weak during the North Korean occupation period. The registered members of KLP Sihueng County branch were seventy three in August 10, 1950. And the political influence of Bodoyeonmang(National Guidance League: NGL) members was very strong in case of Suam town of Sihueng County. The KLP expelled the so called friend parties such as Social Democracy Party and Labor Peoples Party from the political scene and they deported the members of friend parties to the volunteer army for cutting their influence in the community. Fourth, the occupation authority focused on two projects, the election of Peoples’ Committee and land reform. After the accomplishment of two projects, farmers and laborers became the key figures in power structure. Fifth, the land reform in Sihueng County started in July 20 and finished in August 9. It was announced that lands of land-lords were confiscated and redistributed to the tenants and poor peasants within 20 days. Total 9,818 families and approximately 54,980 people of Siheung County were distributed the confiscated lands. It occupied 61 percent of total Siheung population. But the size of distributed lands was not sufficient for self-sufficiency. Sixth, the NGL members of Siheung County played active roles during the North Korean occupation. The occupation authorities wanted their cooperation but were suspicious of their loyalty and sincerity as a communist. Two sides managed tensed relations during the occupation.