최근 지방자치단체는 독립운동 사적지를 지역민의 정체성을 발견하는 장소로 이용하거나 역사문화 관광자원으로 삼고 있다. 이 글은 2017년 12월 말 현재 제주지역 독립유공자로 인정된 148명에 대한 현황분석과 그들의 활동거점인 독립운동 사적지의 활용방안을 모색한 것이다. 148명 독립유공자 공적개요를 중심으로 파악한 독립운동 양상은 국내항일운동(82), 일본방면활동(19), 3·1운동(18), 학생운동(18), 의병(4), 문화운동(4), 광복군(1), 애국계몽운동(1), 임시정부(1) 순으로 나타났다. 독립유공자 훈격 현황은 대한민국장, 대통령장, 독립장은 해당자가 없으나, 건국훈장에 속하는 애국장(21)과 애족장(79) 그리고 건국포장(21), 대통령표창(27)이 확인됐다. 148명이라는 독립유공자 수치는 『제주항일인사실기』(2005)에 기재된 독립운동인사 500여명의 30% 정도에 불과해 추가 자료발굴을 통해 독립유공자 지정을 확대했으면 한다. 제주지역 독립운동은 민족주의 계열에 속하는 의병운동, 법정사 항일운동, 조천 만세운동에서부터 시작해 1920년대 후반부터는 사회주의와 아나키즘 실현을 지향하는 독립운동이 전개되었다. 사회주의 계열에는 신인회, 신간회, 제주청년동맹, 제주야체이카, 제주적색농업조합이 대표적이며, 무정부주의를 표방했던 아나키즘 계열에는 우리계(宇利契)가 있었다. 제주지역 독립운동 사적지를 가지고 다크투어리즘을 활용한 역사관광상품 개발, 항일독립운동 아카이브 구축, 스토리텔링과 콘텐츠 개발, 청소년 보훈캠프 등 활용방안이 필요하다. 이 글이 제주지역 독립운동사 연구를 유도하고, 현재 방치되고 있는 독립운동 사적지에 대한 관심을 높이는 계기가 되었으면 한다.

This study analyzes the independence movements carried out by 148 persons of distinguished service to independence in Jeju region and suggests a method to utilize independence movement historical sites. The result of this study and issues for further study are as follows: First, as of December 2017, there are 148 people recognized as the person of distinguished service to independence in Jeju region, and they account for only 30% Third, it is necessary to find materials to prove the activities of independence activists. To this end, it is necessary to put in experts specialized in independence movement history and to find materials on the persons who participated in Patriotic Enlightenment Movement, Cultural Movement, New Education Movement and others but failed to be recognized as the person of distinguished service to independence. In particular, it is necessary to find materials about Kang Pyeong-guk, who was a female independence activist, Im Do-hyeon, who was a Jeju anti-Japan pilot, and the people involved in the Fishermen’s Struggle Against Japanese in Chujado Island. Fourth, it is necessary to change the recognition of independence movement historic sites. It is necessary to brand the sites and make them ‘a place to visit’ or ‘a place to stay’ by revitalizing the entire sites rather than just to keep them as historic sites or cultural properties. Fifth, it is necessary to develop history tourism products and services related to dark tourism, establish anti-Japan independence movement archives, develop storytelling and historical and cultural contents, and establish a youth patriot camp by utilizing the independence movement historic sites. Further, it is worth establishing the networks between historic sites and civil societies, fostering the commentators of anti-Japan independence movement history, and linking the regeneration of old downtowns and the revitalization of villages in Jeju. Sixth, it is required to strengthen the role of Jeju anti-Japanese Memorial Museum. Approximately 350 people who participated in the independence movement are not yet recognized as persons of distinguished service to independence due to the lack of evidence. In order to help them to be recognized as persons of distinguished service to independence, Jeju anti-Japanese Memorial Museum should actively hold independence movement-related academic seminars, establish a support system for independence movement researchers, and expand the employment of independence movement history specialists as curators, beyond performing facilities maintenance and repair. Finally, in order to protect and preserve Jeju independence movement historic sites, the following are needed: the active involvement of the residents in villages where historic sites are located; the participation of youth and students; and great efforts of civil societies, Jeju history research groups, Jeju Research Institute and Jeju Anti-Japanese Memorial Museum.