애양원(愛養園) 한센병 환자 자치조직의 형성과 공동체의 성격 변화(1910-1940)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the operation of autonomous organizations for patients at Aeyangwon(愛養園) to analyze the following two aspects. First, it studies the relationship between autonomous organizations and church power at Aeyangwon in different periods, and examines the changes in the characteristics of its patient community. Aeyangwon experienced several historical changes: Guangzhu Na(癩) Sanatorium Period (1910-1926), Yeosu Aeyangwon Period (1926-1934), and the Ilsimhoe(一心會) Incident and the Movement Period to force Pastor Kim Eung-gyu to step down (1934-1940). Its characteristics also changed from a “missionary-centered belief community” to a “patient-centered life community.” The characteristics of the patient community had changed according to the relationship between operation leadership (hospital and church) and autonomous organizations for patients. The autonomous organization at Guangzhu Na(癩) Sanatorium functioned under the leadership of missionaries, and the patient leader was also appointed by the president of the hospital; thus, the patients could not enjoy much independence. From 1926 to 1934, as the autonomous organization grew with Executive Committees at its center, opposition between the church power and the patients also occurred. This was manifested in the anti-church Ilsimhoe Incident in 1934 and the 1938 movement to force Pastor Kim Eung-gyu to step down. However, after the Ilsimhoe Incident, the autonomous patient organization was reorganized in 1936, and the hospital president earned the right to appoint two executive committee members. Through this process, the hospital president strengthened the containment and control of patients’ autonomy, and the characteristics of a belief community were restored as the church came to operate the patient organization.
 Second, this paper discusses the subjectivity of patients with Hansen’s disease at Aeyangwon. At Aeyangwon, the patients shared the power of the church by expressing their faith and directly elected ministers of 11 departments to form an executive committee. Through the direct election of representatives (executive committee members and ministers) of their autonomous organization, the patients participated in the operation of Aeyangwon and were able to resist the power of the church. In addition, the patients sought economic self-reliance through labor, built family houses, and maintained a family-based life. Although the autonomy of the patient organization had been reduced under the control of the church, patients used their voting rights to elect executive committee members and participated in the operation of their organization, which provided an institutional guarantee for the patients to exert their subjectivity.