해방 이전 변희용의 생애와 사회운동

초록

This study explores the life of Byeon Hee-yong(卞熙鎔, 1894–1966), a lesser-known historical figure, by tracing his life from birth to his role in Shinganhoe branch. Born in Goryeong, Gyeongsang-do, he was influenced by his teacher Lee Doo-hoon, who had encouraged modern education, and his father Byeon Chang-gi, who had participated in the National Debt Repayment Movement. He then went to study in Japan, where he gradually expanded his influence in the overseas Korean student community, notably participating in the February 8th Declaration of Independence. Byeon’s activities can be divided into two periods: during his study abroad and after returning colonial Korea. During his study abroad, he embraced socialist ideas and raised social agendas such as economic and labor issues through magazine publications and lectures. At the same time, he strengthened his links with Taisho democracy theorists and other socialists in Japan. However, after the massacre of Koreans during the Great Kanto Earthquake, his stance began to change. After returning home, he remained deeply involved in social movements in colonial Korea, but gradually shifted the center of his activities to the local community. Back in Goryeong, Byeon served as an advisor to the local bureaus of Dong-A Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo and led the Goryeong branch of the Shinganhoe. As a local ‘intellectual’ and opinion leader, he actively intervened in local affairs and negotiated with the administrative authorities on behalf of the local people. In this process, Byeon Hee-yong gradually distanced himself from the social movements of colonial Korea around 1930. It is worth noting that the various adjustments in his position over the course of his life were not simply personal choices, but rather reflected the realities of modern Korean society and the changes of the times.

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