Gochang Mujang Uprising Included in Korean History Textbooks After 126 Years

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jae-gil] With the fact that the start of the Donghak Peasant Revolution was the armed uprising (Mujang, Gochang, Jeonbuk) recorded as a historical fact in this year's revised high school Korean history textbooks, Gochang, the birthplace of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, has been imprinted on the public consciousness after 126 years.

In particular, following the ‘National Memorial Day Armed Proclamation Reading’ and ‘Securing National Budget for Sacred Site Project,’ the ‘Inclusion in History Textbooks’ highlights Gochang County’s efforts to reclaim pride in the Donghak Peasant Revolution.

According to Gochang County on the 22nd, all eight types of high school Korean history textbooks used from this new semester (approved on November 27, 2019) describe the Gochang armed uprising (Mujang uprising).

This is expected to be a groundbreaking opportunity for a historical fact known only to a few, including Donghak specialists and Gochang residents, to gain national consensus.

Each textbook describes the armed uprising (Mujang uprising) as “a large-scale peasant uprising led by Jeon Bong-jun, who, after failing the Gobu uprising on March 20, lunar calendar 1894 (April 25, solar calendar), joined forces with Son Hwa-jung in Mujang, Gochang.”

Also, some textbooks, including MiraeN, which began producing textbooks domestically for the first time in 1954, include the ‘Armed Proclamation’ and the ‘Four Major Principles.’

The ‘Gochang Mujang uprising’ involved Jeon Bong-jun, a native of Gochang who joined Son Hwa-jung, the local leader of the largest Donghak force in Jeolla Province. They encapsulated the righteous cause of the Donghak Peasant Revolution and sent proclamations nationwide, not only in Jeolla but across the country, triggering the joining of peasant armies.

In particular, the Mujang uprising is evaluated as having established the framework of a peasant revolution by announcing the ‘Armed Proclamation,’ the ideology and guideline of the revolution, and the ‘Four Major Principles,’ the code of conduct for the peasant army.

Moreover, the Donghak Peasant Revolution grew beyond regional limits into a nationwide large-scale uprising and has been recognized as the foundation of Korea’s historical national and popular resistance movements.

Meanwhile, the ‘Armed Proclamation’ announced by the peasant army reveals the peasants’ self-awareness of ‘protecting the nation and comforting the people’ to save the country in crisis due to corruption, and academia evaluates it as evolving into a revolution different in dimension from previous peasant uprisings.

Accordingly, Gochang County continues historical reevaluation efforts of the ‘Donghak Peasant Revolution,’ which shines even brighter than the world’s four great civic revolutions, and commemorative projects for Donghak pioneers through annual events such as the General Jeon Bong-jun Birth Commemoration Ceremony, Mujang Uprising Memorial Ceremony, Nokdu Award Presentation, and academic conferences.

During the 7th elected term, Gochang County has actively promoted the Donghak Peasant Revolution sacred site project, including ▲ inclusion of the Mujang uprising in history textbooks ▲ Gochang Donghak Peasant Revolution sacred site project ▲ registration of the Mujang uprising site and General Jeon Bong-jun’s birthplace as national historic sites.

Yoo Ki-sang, Gochang County Governor, said, “I am grateful that the first mission of re-examining Gochang’s Donghak Peasant Revolution history, ‘inclusion in all Korean history textbooks after 126 years,’ has been achieved. Taking this opportunity, we will lead commemorative projects such as cultural heritage designation of the Gochang Mujang uprising site and General Jeon Bong-jun’s birthplace, erection of General Jeon Bong-jun’s statue, and proud civic movements that embody the spirit of Donghak.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.