The tenure and management of perdikan land: a comparative study of South Korea and Indonesia, 1900–1946

The tenure and management of perdikan (tax-exempt) land in South Korea and Indonesia from 1900 to 1946 exhibit similar structural and cultural dynamics. This research aims to compare and analyze the similarities in the patterns of control and management of perdikan lands in both regions. Employing a historical method and utilizing primary sources from archives, this study investigates the reasons behind the comparable patterns of land tenure and management in South Korea and Indonesia. The study yields three key findings. Firstly, the similarities in the socio-economic structures governing land tenure and management in South Korea and Indonesia underscore the significance of local power. Secondly, the management systems for perdikan land in both countries serve as forms of social control, functioning as mechanisms for the dissemination of religion, economic activity and social responsibilities during the colonial period. Thirdly, the control and management of perdikan land in both nations demonstrate a significant shift in ownership throughout the study period. This article posits that Buddhism played a mediating role in the land tenure transition process in South Korea. In contrast, in Indonesia, religion contributed to the complexity of the perdikan land issue.