조선후기 자연재해와 계의 보장 내용 및 수준의 연관성

Gye’s are unique voluntary community associations which were actively formed and operated in traditional Korean communities. Since the late period of Chosun Dynasty in which natural disasters had often occurred across the country, the role and function of Gye as social security and community welfare had been expanded to great extents, which hadsignificantly contributed to the welfare and survival of people. This paper examines the functions of Gye in social security and community welfare by conducting case analyses of the following Gyecases: Haeju Hyangyak, Boknae-Iri Songgye, Jungpyeong Donggye, and Chawoori Donggye. According to the findings in this paper, first, community associations had created and increased community funds and grains for the preparation of disaster and emergency, which thus resulted in successfully utilizing them in quick and effective response to the outbreak of disaster and emergency. Second, they had possessed quite large scale of common assets such as forests, fishing grounds, and rice fields. If necessary, they reduced or nullified part or all of individual member’s debt according to the resolution and social consensus among members. Third, they had prepared for grains, fermented soy source, and medicines for emergency. Fourth, they had taken responsibility for community rituals and festivals, which was successful in forming and strengthening the sense of local identity among members and mobilizing their joint collaborative efforts in all stages of disaster, including prevention, preparation, response and recovery. In short, all these activities and functions conducted and executed by community associations had eventually contributed to community resilience, community welfare, social security and risk management.