Abstract

This study examines the evolution of ethnic sports in Korea since the birth of the nation in August 1948. Two players who had a key role in the evolutionary process will be considered separately, the government and the people who actually took part in the ethnic sports, and their respective purposes of being involved in ethnic sports will be analyzed by focusing on the National Folk Arts Festival. The results are as follows. The National Folk Arts Festival was inaugurated by the government, in which ethnic sports and folk dances have been exhibited and competed in by people from across the country. It has been carried through to the present day. In 1961, it was decided that the event would be held regularly for the preservation and promotion of Korean ethnic sports under the guidance of the government. Regional preliminary contests for the national tournament were inaugurated to realize the nationwide organization of the festival. With this background, it is assumed that the festival has functioned as a cultural drive to develop Korean national identity. In contrast, people who participate in the festival have responded to the cultural policy of the government in their own way. It can be stated that the ethnic sports have become a part of national culture through the involvement of both the government and the people. Verf.-Referat