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Post-liberation to 1950s the changes of census and their historical significance

Kim, Soo Hyang 1

1국사편찬위원회

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ABSTRACT

This paper examines the changes in the census from Post-Liberation to the 1950s and its historical significance. The three survey systems established during the colonial period - the census, the survey of settled population and the survey of vital statistics - continued after Liberation(1945). These surveys represent the modern census and are essential for governments to have an accurate demographic information. The Korean government's censuses gradually improved in accuracy as experience accumulated. The annual resident registration survey, first conducted in 1952 during the Korean War, played a significant role in this progress. The results of this initial survey were so inaccurate that they could not be released. The government learned from this experience and designed the 1953 survey to collect more in-depth data. Based on this experience, the 1955 census was conducted smoothly. Meanwhile, the Korean government enacted the laws related to vital statistics as soon as possible. The three survey systems, which were conducted at different times and for different purposes, were organically combined, influencing each other and complementing their limitations. The changes in census methodology and content reflected a shift in government interest in population. Whereas colonial censuses were conducted in the context of resource mobilization, propaganda to secure legitimacy, and policing. US military government in Korea focused on the population for sanitation and rationing policies, as well as returnees from outside the country who might foment social unrest and chaos. The 1947 resident registration had a somewhat unique character. Although it was ultimately unsuccessful in its attempts to capture intimate information about individuals it illustrates the growing interest in the individuals compared to the colonial period. This interest for the status of individuals within population has increased since the establishment of the government. The 1955 census, in particular, sought to capture a wide range of information, including occupation, education, housing, and disability. This shows that the government's control had improved. Paradoxically, it also means that there is more knowledge about the population that the government considers uncontrollable and unknowable.

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