능력주의의 식민지적 기원 - 조선일보 독자란에 나타난 입신주의

Abstract

This paper aims to trace the historical origins of meritocracy in Korea back to the perception and thoughts of the general public during the colonial period. To this end, the classified advertisement section of Chosun Ilbo titled 〈Dokja Sagyoshil (Readers’ Lounge)〉, which started in 1936, is analyzed. 〈Dokja Sagyoshil〉 printed classified ads submitted by the readers on matters ranging from job search, help-wanted, buying, selling and trading of goods to exchange of practical information.BRWith any hopes for progressive social change blocked under the colonial rule, frustrated young elites or those who aspired to become one flocked to what seemed to be the path to success, leading to power and capital. However, it was extremely difficult for the young people to actually succeed; it was almost impossible for the people of Choseon to pass various qualification exams offered by the Japanese colonial authorities and gain credentials. The young generation of Choseon deliberately ignored this reality, in which they were discriminated, and stubornly worshiped the illusionary mantra of “work hard, succeed and make a name for oneself in the world.” But the trapped and frustrated young generation of Choseon had no escape. The blind pursuit of literature and art among the young people could be understood as an expression of the same frustration, only on the other side of the spectrum. Success stories, decorated with academic credentials and passing of state qualification exams, were far out of reach for most young people of Choseon at the time. The meritocracy observed in Korea nowadays clutches on to the idea that ‘fairness’ must prevail, even though it does not translate into equality. This mirrors the popular hype over exams being seen as a panacea for success in the 1930s, where the harsh reality of the colonial rule was brushed under the carpet and the mantra of ‘success achieved through one’s hard work’ heavily hung above everyone’s heads.