The Factors of Korean Costume's Change in the Modern Times

근대(近代) 한국복식(韓國服飾)의 변화(變化) 요인(要因)

Since Korea opened the door to the Western World, traditional costume has changed. The factors of change are as follows: 1) Cultural diffusion by the cultural contact is the foundamental factor of the costume change. 2) The government made edicts of clothing reform. The formal dresses of government official were simplified several times, the edict was issued for men to cut off their hair, and military uniform and government officials' dresses were west-ernized. 3) The diffusion of modernized education by the missionary school accerlerated clothing change. Students were ahead of the abolition of Suege-Chima (which is a sort of veil used to conceal woman's face). 4) The change in the activity of women in society made the women's dresses more convenient for action. 5) The open class system and social agitation speeded up the rate of change. During the Yi Dynasty class distinction was rigid, but the government made the laws which abolished the class distiction.