1924년 암태도 소작쟁의의 전개과정

The Process of Tenancy Dispute in Amtae Island in 1924

The tenancy dispute in Amtae island was the most famous tenancy dispute during the colonial period. It occurred because the tenant farmers had to pay too much high rent to Moon Jae-Chul, the landowner. Moon who owned the largest farmland in Amtae island charged 60~80% of the harvest for the rent. At that time the general rent rate was 50%. The tenants of Amtae island organized the Amtae Tenants Association in December 1923. The association resolved that the rent should not exceed 40% of the havest. Most of the land owners accepted this offer. However Moon Jae-Chul refused the tenants’ proposal. The association held a meeting of Amtae people on March 27th, 1924 to assure their resolution. Moon mobilized his relatives and they assaulted Suh Tae-Suck, the leader of the association, and two other men. The tenants heard of this incident after the meeting and they ran to the site. There was a small crash between the tenants and the land owner’s relatives, but the board of association had them stop the crash. However the landowner, Moon accused Suh Tae-Suck and 12 other tenants of the use of violence. The members of Amtae Tenants Association decided to go to Mokpo for a demonstration against the detainment of 13 tenants. About 400 tenants went to Mokpo by ships, and they held a sit-down demonstration in front of the Mokpo branch of the court. This demonstration lasted for 8 days, however they did not succeed in releasing the 13 detained farmers. As the prosecutor charged 13 tenants for the use of violence, around 500 farmers in Amtae island went to Mokpo and started the sit-down and hunger strike. Their strike continued for 7 days. The board of Amtae Tenants Association had a meeting with Moon, but he refused to accept the rent rate of 40% and withdraw the accusation. 500 tenants ran to the Moon’s house and had made a demonstration there until the police dispersed them. The news of the Amtae tenants’ struggle had repercussions all over the country. Thereupon the chief of Mokpo police visited Moon’s house and urged him to accept the rent rate of 40% and to withdraw the accusation. The provincial office and district office also persuaded him. They worried that this incident stimulated the tenants of other regions. Moon finally accepted the mediated proposal made by the chief of Mokpo police. However, Moon did not keep his promise when the harvest season came. At that time, the tenants were allowed to harvest only after the landowner appraised the crop. Moon who did not want to accept the 40% rent refused the appraisal of harvest so that the crops could not be harvested. Although the farmers in Amtae island had to wait until Mokpo policemen made an appraisal of harvest, they did harvest the rice which meant their insistent clamor produced a result. The tenants could win in their dispute with land owner due to the organization power of Amtae Tenants Association, the support from Youth Association and Women Associatiom in Amtae island, and the assistance of public opinion.