Japanese Residents in Korea and the Modernization of Chosŏn : A Preliminary analysis based on the case of the conflicts related to the Panggongnyŏng (防穀令, Grain Export Prohibition Order)
Journal Title: International Journal of Korean History - Year 2006, Vol 10, Issue 1
Abstract
The debate over the issue of ‘colonial modernity’, in which Korean academics have occupied the central role, has in recent years become increasingly active. As a detailed analysis of all the aspects of this debate is beyond the scope of this study, the focus herein is on a recently published book which was produced as a result of a joint research project between Korea and Japan. This particular work assumes a unique standpoint on the issue of ‘colonial modernity’ in that unlike the existing positive view of ‘modernization in colony’, it, therefore, attempts to raise awareness of the problematic issues incorporated in such ‘modernity’.1 The new standpoint on colonial modernity introduced in the abovementioned book represents an attempt to relativize the heretofore positively evaluated ‘modernity’ or ‘modernization’, which in turn has been based on an assessment of ‘modernization in colony’ rooted in the economic growth achieved during the Japanese colonial era.2 Furthermore, the presentation of the debate over colonial modernity from this new perspective can lead to a reorganization of the standpoint from which the modernization of the Korean peninsula is viewed, i.e. based on a notion of ‘modernity’ that can be commonly applied to global history rather than only to a certain country’s history.
Authors and Affiliations
Ryosuke Yamada
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