Issues of Conflict and Cooperation between Historians and Archivists - Focusing on the Use of Historical Records -

The enactment of the Public Records Management Act in 1999 served as the institutional foundation for the subsequent qualitative and quantitative growth of archives in Korea. It significantly contributed to the emergence of records managers and archivists dedicated to records management. Furthermore, it facilitated the expansion of the infrastructure needed for advanced records management, systematizing various procedures, including the description and arrangement of records, while solidifying the infrastructure for digitalization. However, the expansion of this institutional and physical foundation did not automatically narrow the gap between historians and archivists. Rather, as the foundation and facilities for records management expanded, the gap widened. In the case of historical records, full authority and responsibility were entrusted to archivists, while historians showed little interest in the selection and appraisal of records. The reasons for this divide stem from historical and institutional factors. Therefore, it is necessary to develop measures to overcome these historical and structural limitations. In the long term, this involves establishing a plan to merge the National Institute of Korean History and the National Archives of Korea. In the short to medium term, it is necessary to build an archival platform to ensure continuous communication between the two. Various public forums, including joint academic conferences, must be established so that both historians and archivists can continuously exchange information on historical records and conduct cross-reviews. While historians should actively participate in the selection and evaluation of historical records, archivists must pay attention to the trends and methodologies of the historical community. The current tendency for each side to work and perform tasks in isolation only widen the gap between the two. Above all, the most urgent task is for both parties to pursue joint projects.