President Lee Jae-myung: "Revolution for Popular Sovereignty Closely Connected to Donghak Peasant Revolution's Daedong World"

132nd Anniversary of the Donghak Peasant Revolution Commemorated

President Lee Jae-myung emphasized that the Donghak Peasant Revolution was the great first step toward democracy in the Republic of Korea, and stressed that the revolution for popular sovereignty is also closely connected to the spirit of the Donghak Peasant Revolution's ideal of a "Daedong world"—a world where all live well together.

On the morning of May 11, at the '132nd Anniversary of the Donghak Peasant Revolution Ceremony' held at the National Museum of Korea auditorium, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Huieyoung read President Lee’s commemorative address conveying these remarks.

President Lee stated, "The Donghak Peasant Revolution was the great first step in Korean democracy, awakening all to the truth that the people are the foundation and the rightful owners of the nation. The spirit of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, which dreamed of a world where everyone could live with dignity and prosperity, and stood up against unjust power, has become an unwavering beacon in our hearts." He continued, "That spirit has been carried forward through the Independence Revolution, the April 19 Revolution, the 5·18 Democratization Movement, the Candlelight Revolution, and the Revolution of Light, and is now the very source that has enabled the Republic of Korea to blossom into a model democracy admired by the world. The revolution for popular sovereignty is also closely connected with the Daedong world envisioned by the peasants in 1894."

The Donghak Peasant Revolution, which arose in 1894 and marks its 132nd anniversary this year, was a self-determined resistance against unjust reality and foreign invasions, aiming to build a world where everyone could live well together.

The government has continuously worked to shed new light on the values of the Donghak Peasant Revolution and to carry forward its historical significance through various initiatives. In 2004, a special law for the restoration of honor for participants in the Donghak Peasant Revolution and others was enacted, leading to the establishment of a commemorative foundation in 2010. Subsequently, the anniversary was designated as a national memorial day in 2019, a commemorative park was opened in 2022, and in 2023, records related to the Donghak Peasant Revolution were inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

Shin Seungcheol, Chairman of the Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Foundation, explained, "Since 2004, the government has been registering participants and descendants of the Donghak Peasant Revolution. As of May 2026, the number of registered participants stands at 4,066, and the number of registered descendants is 14,472."

President Lee stated, "The government will do its utmost to create a warm community where the people, as the true owners of the nation, can enjoy their rightful entitlements and share the fruits of growth together. We will build a country where no one is left behind, where everyone enjoys fair opportunities and prosperity together—overcoming disparities and achieving a more advanced and mature democracy, a nation truly owned by its people, together with all citizens."

About 400 people attended the commemorative ceremony, including descendants of Donghak Peasant Revolution participants and representatives from commemorative organizations across the country.