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영어

In Jung-pyeong, there used to be four mutual aid societies called ‘Gye’ in Korean: Dong-gye, Song-gye, Janghak-gye, and Heunghak-gye. Dong-gye and Song-gye were organized in mid 1800's, and retained until early 1980's. We don't know exactly the purpose, rules, and systems of Dong-gye, however, it is believed that the Wollang Lees who inhabited in Jung-pyeong did a major part to plan and set up it. People who lived in Jung-pyeong and Jeom-chon organized Song-gye to gather wood for fuel and compost materials. Since Song-gye was surrounded with Mt. Ryugok, people in this area could gather sticks for fire and compost materials that needed to maintain their daily living. Janghak-gye and Heunghak-gye were organized for financial support in educating children during Japanese colonial rule of Korea. When they were organized, there was only one educational institution called ‘Seodang‘-a private school which is for study of Chinese classics. Later, another institution, Ma-ryeong public school, was founded in 1922. Thereafter, children in Jung-pyeong could learn not only at seodang but also at public school. However, Japanese gradually oppressed educating children at seodang, and then much more children couldn't help attending public school instead. The organization of gye in Jung-pyeong consisted of three parts: a ‘Gyejang’, ‘Yusa’, and ‘Gyehoi’. A gyejang was a symbolic duty and was entrusted to the Lees. A yusa carrying out practical affairs of gye was appointed to the oldest member of gye annually, but it was often reappointed the one person. A gyehoi was the meeting held periodically once in a year, which usually took place between October and December of the lunar calendar during off farming season. The financial resources for gye mostly was appropriated by the money which was raised by its members, and the rest of it was supplied by the interests yielded from that money, which targeted the members. The fund from the interests was an important way in order to increase the finances for gye. Additionally, the fund was also made up by a farm rent or by renting the appliances which belonged to gye. The money raised through these various processes was used to repurchase and repair the items they shred, paid taxes, or support seodang. It was generally used to deal with communities' common affairs. On the surface the objective of each gye appears to be different, however, its purpose had been focused on solving common businesses related with everyday life. Other gye were organized in many parts other than Jung-pyeong. Dong-gye and Song-gye were especially organized a lot at the end of Joseon, and Janghak-gye and Heunghak-gye were formed during Japanese colonial rule in particular with respect to establishing schools. Most of Dong-gye and Song-gye were declined or discontinued by the Japanese colonial policy, reforming administrative district of Korea. However, Dong-gye and Song-gye in Jung-pyeong is the case continued during Japanese colonial rule. Janghak-gye and Heunghak-gye in other parts grew smaller or were abolished, supporting funds for founding schools. Unlike them, Janghak-gye in Jung-pyeong just supported children so that they could continue learning.