Discovery and Exegesis of the bylaws of the Dongnae-gun (Busan City) branch of 〈the Korean Disabled Veterans Association (May 15, 1951 - October 10, 1953)〉: Focusing on the ‘Cho Man-ho Documents’

This paper introduces specific aspects of the ‘Bylaws’ of the Dongnae-gun branch among the recently unearthed ‘Documents’ written by Cho Man-ho, who was the administrative head of the branch of 〈the Korean Disabled Veterans Association(‘the Association’)〉, and its revocation. By reprinting the ‘Rules’ in their entirety and presenting empirical data, such as contemporary newspapers, literature, and media materials, that show the actual conditions of disabled veterans before and after the organization of ‘the Association’, social and political situations, the organization, and the dissolution process, our study attempted to approach the reality of ‘the Association’ more objectively. There are two different ‘Rules’, which contain regulations on monetary and financial transparency and on principles as well as the organizational aspect, administrative system, and work regulations of the branch of ‘the Association’. ‘The Association’, possessing a history of formation and dissolution (absorption) during the Korean War, had significance for its existence as an autonomous and legal organization of the disabled veterans at that time and as the parent body of the current Korean Disabled Veterans Association. Nevertheless, the little had been known about detailed aspect of the organization for the lack of record of its administration, work, and activity status. Therefore, it was difficult to shed light on the organization of ‘the Association’, itself. In this situation, the ‘Cho Man-ho Documents’ not only has historical value that can empirically and specifically shed light on the early organization, administration, and work system of ‘the Association’, but also one that dispels prejudice and misunderstanding about ‘the Association’. This is also significant in that it has the potential to expand the research into the actual living conditions of the disabled veterans in the early stages, as well as into investigation on the support, veterans, welfare, and medical policies for them.