This research project aimed to examine the self-representation of Chosen Colonial Government between 1919 and 1936. The research is based on three inter-related theoretical questions. Firstly, can we say Chosen Colonial government as ‘colonial state’ ...
This research project aimed to examine the self-representation of Chosen Colonial Government between 1919 and 1936. The research is based on three inter-related theoretical questions. Firstly, can we say Chosen Colonial government as ‘colonial state’ Secondly, what kinds of representation did Chosen Colonial Government produce through multi-faceted practices of self-representation which were labeled as ‘propaganda’ Thirdly, what kind of social and political effects did Chosen Colonial Government produce through such practices of representation. This research project, based on the analytical studies on media and propaganda made by Chosen Colonial Government, aimed to theorize the complexity of state effects and self-representation of colonial power.
The rule of Chosen Colonial Government is often said to be the ‘absence of the state(國亡)’ with the forced occupation of foreign forces from the viewpoint of ‘national history’. However, in social sciences, this rule was regarded as ‘colonial government’ or the rule by ‘colonial state’. Although it is quite evident that Chosen Colonial Government was installed and operated as an independent administrative body within Japanese empire, it is still difficult to say that such ruling entity created a single and integrated political community. In order to clarify the viewpoints on the rule of Chosen Colonial Government, whether it was the absence of state or the rule of colonial state, instead of predetermination of the reality of power, we have to make a detoured approach on power by examining the practices and effects of power, how Chosen Colonial Government represented herself internally and also externally. In this regard, this research project aimed to focus on the practices and effects of colonial power instead of presupposing the reality of colonial power and studied the practices of self representation of colonial power and their social effects.
Chosen Colonial Government made strategies of exaggerated self-representation in order to prevailing over the inherent contradiction of their existence both internally and externally. The strategy of self-representation of Chosen Colonial Government, exemplified by ‘censorship’ and ‘propaganda’, went through immense changes and produced comprehensive social effects especially in the twenties with the shift of colonial policy from military rule to cultural rule and also with the creation of social field for representation and media.
This project resulted in twelve original research papers concerning theoretical and historical overview, visual media, corporeal media, and literary media. Historical and theoretical overview examined the issue of "Japanese colonial policy and the autonomy of state." As for visual media, studies on "Japanese colonialism and propaganda through visual materials", "The analysis of Chosen Art Exhibition", "The Examination of Pictures of Chosen(朝鮮), official magazine of the colonial government" were written. In corporeal media, the issues of "Squared and back alleys of Keijo", "Japanese Army occupied in Chosen", "Representation of entertainment", "Body of women", "Imperial benevolence and social works focusing on imperial donation" , "State ritual of failed state", "Athletic Game Organized by Chosen Shrine". Finally, in order to examine literary media, "literary media and the production of social facts" was studied.
In conclusion, Chosen Colonial Government was not an independent state entity in herself, but rather an overdeveloped state apparatus during the extraordinary situation of colonial rule. The colonial power did not have autonomy independent from Japanese empire. Moreover, modicum of autonomy the colonial power enjoyed can be understood only in the context and location of world system of capitalism.
While Chosen Colonial Government was not an autonomous or self-completed state, the colonial power still represented the government and Chosen as a distinct and au