The History of the Donghak Peasant Revolution in Korea
Record of the Joseon Peasant Uprising,
Gochang Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Hall
[Operating Hours]
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
*Closed every Monday
[Admission Fee]
Free
Gochang, located in the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, is associated with various evocative words such as watermelon, town fortress, tidal flats, dolmens, and green barley. Did you know that Jeon Bong-jun, who led the Donghak Peasant Revolution, is from Gochang? I visited the Gochang Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Hall, which introduces Jeon Bong-jun and the revolution, expanding my knowledge of Gochang-related terms.
This year, with record-breaking heat, stepping outside can be daunting, but there is a public parking lot right behind the memorial hall, providing some relief from the heat. The hall was built as part of Gochang's hometown love donation project, and its exterior features visuals related to the Donghak Peasant Revolution.
Inside the exhibition space, various materials including texts, videos, and audio are available. Engaging with these resources can elevate your visit beyond just a simple trip to the venue.
By the late Joseon period, corruption among local officials had severely impoverished the lives of farmers, leading to widespread discontent. At this time, the Donghak movement, advocating for human equality and social reform, spread, culminating in a peasant uprising in 1894, led by Jeon Bong-jun and Son Hwa-jung.
In the spring of 1894, Jeon Bong-jun declared a rebellion in Mujang, Gochang, through an armed proclamation. This document is an important historical source marking the start of the Donghak Peasant Revolution in the area.
While various regions in Jeolla Province are related to the Donghak Peasant Revolution, Gochang, in particular, has numerous related sites and artifacts, including the birthplace of Jeon Bong-jun, the Gochang town fortress, and the Mujang district office.
You can explore various heritages related to the Donghak Peasant Revolution through a touch screen. Additionally, to help reinforce your memory after the visit, a simple OX quiz is available. Personally, I found audiovisual materials to be a great aid in understanding the Donghak Peasant Revolution.
On one wall of the exhibition space, books and records are available. I hope you take some time to browse through them and gain unexpected inspiration to delve deeper into the history of the Donghak Peasant Revolution.
Rooftop Garden
After a light tour of the internal exhibition space, you can go outside where there are stairs leading to rooftop gardens on either side of the building. During my visit, the temperature approached 40 degrees, so I couldn't stay long, but on a cooler day, you can enjoy a pleasant panoramic view of Gochang.
As you descend from the rooftop garden, you will see a statue of Jeon Bong-jun and armed farmers near the intersection in front of the county office. In front of the statue, there is a fountain, and beside it, there is a plaque inscribed with the history of the Donghak Peasant Revolution and the armed proclamation. The variety of exhibits enriches the experience.
If you plan a summer vacation in Gochang, you might be considering the Gochang sea and the Hwang Yoon-seok Library. I hope you feel the coolness of the sea and the library’s air conditioning, and find yourself wondering, 'Is there anywhere else to visit?' In that case, I recommend the Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Hall to add another Gochang-related term to your collection.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/jbgokr/224390681008
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