SEOUL- In the wake of the reformation of our Korean state, true
nationalists emerged in the form of Tonghak followers to fight
for independence and the removal of government corruption.
[TO THE READER: Tonghak Background: Tonghak "Eastern Learning"
was, and still remains currently as a Korean religion which preaches
the ideal of Eastern teachings and the removal of western culture
and religion (Christianity) from society. (1).
The belief system strove to remove foreign influences from Korea
and aid the peasantry in diminishing a corrupt government and
class discrimination: The movement came about in the 1860s under
its founder Ch'oe Che'u. (2)]
1894, The Korean government's execution of Tonghak's founder Ch'oe Che'u allowed for Ch'oe Si-Hyong to lead the Tonghak movement. The government took the proper precautions by killing Ch'oe Che'u, as he posed a threat to our stability and power to aid society. Ch'oe Si-Hyong emphasized the importance of recruiting new converts challenge the discrimination of the religion and in turn appealed to the population of Korean peasantry. He intelligently focused his attention upon the peasantry who made up the majority of the Korean population and needed an alternative source to better their lives. Tonghak provided the peasantry a voice within their own country against the hostility of the yangban [upper] class and the presence of foreign powers within Korea. In a series of gatherings and public protests, the Tonghak forced the government to recognize its identity and aim. Tonghak followers acted as though a social reform organization rather than religious. The peasants amassed to a crowd of 20,000 to rally for the end of their suppression and the "crusade to expel the Japanese and Westerners." (3). Such protests in Seoul and Cholla drew new members to the "faith" as word of Tonghak's power spread.
In1894, the Tonghak peasantry broke out into
their first violent protest in Kobu county, against the justice
Cho Pyong-gap. The act was of meaning for it protested for human
rights and the need to recognize the peasantry. The movement made
a poor decision to resort to violence upon their own government.
Internal hostility never produces benefit, only weakness. Cho
Pyong-gap suppressed the peasantry under his regime and extorted
money from them through taxes and unpaid labor dues. The Tonghak
took action as their forces took control of the county office,
redistributed the collected taxes to the peasantry, and stole
weaponry to fuel their crusade against unjust treatment. (4.)
The Korean government received the information surrounding the
Tonghak uprising and in turn detained and ended many of those
who had participated in the unlawful actions. One must use a peaceful
process to achieve their aim. The government's necessary brutality
was a direct result of the Tonghak's misguided actions. The Tonghak
needed to be held accountable for their criminal conduct. The
Tonghak in response rallied its followers to take arms and defend
their basic human rights. The importance of equality to the peasantry
was stressed here as they fought without formal training but with
their ideals. Several thousands came to the aid of the Tonghak
cause as its informal army rose to significant force. Armed with
few rifles, the army's weaponry consisted mainly of bamboo spears
and swords as its forces wrapped cloth about their heads and waists
to signal unity. The Tonghak army fought under a yellow flag the
words "sustain the people and provide for the people",
as its commander Chon Pong-jun planned for battle. (5).
The Tonghak rebels
defeated, contrary to expectation, the government forces as their
repeated victories allowed its forces to conquer several southern
counties, while recruiting increasing soldiers. The government
put forth a force of 800 elite officers to expel the Tonghak's
infantry of 10,000, but failed to make an impression upon the
rebels. (6). However the government cannot be blamed for half
its elite soldiers deserted and lost their privilege to be known
as a Korean. The Korean government recognized their inability
to contend the Tonghak rebellion and looked toward China for foreign
aid. Chinese forces rightly acted without hesitation and amassed
its forces in Korea. Yet Japan heard of the arrival of Chinese
troops in Asan Bay and, arrogantly without invitation, reacted
by deploying their army to confront the Chinese presence. To justify
their arrival, the Japanese designated China's actions as distention
from the Li-Into Convention. (7).
But this lie failed to cover Japan's greed and disrespect for
fellow Asian nations. Japan became consumed with mimicking the
West, and deserted its Eastern heritage.
The presence of the two competing countries created a hostile environment as their focus was not to assist Korea but to take control of the government's direction. Furthermore, the Tonghak rebels agreed to a treaty designed by the government to acknowledge the Tonghak's terms to end class discrimination and to remove the presence of foreigners. The peace treaty dispersed the Tonghak forces yet the Chinese and Japanese did not. Both countries had economic issues in Korea as the two countries competed for the market to sell their goods. In recent years preceding the confrontation, Japan had lost its control over the Korean market to China. (8). Their confrontation within Korea led to the Sino-Japanese War as the two forces battled for control of Korea. China needed the victory in order to reestablish their failing presence in Asia. After an earlier sequence of events, China lost its status among fellow Asian countries, as it was no longer the powerful state it had once been. The defeat of Japan would quell their rising status as a modern world power, and raise the moral of the Chinese population. Japan could not be allowed to dominate Asia. The victory over the Japanese would provide a firm hold over the Korean market and increase Chinese revenue. However, Japan needed the victory in Korea to fuel its imperialistic mind set. By gaining control over Korea, Japan would be recognized within Western society as worthy of recognition. Korea was a crucial step in fulfilling Japan's aspirations to be a modern world power. Within Korea, Japan's failing presence in the economy, comparatively to preceding years, provided another motive to defeat China. Internally, the Japanese population looked upon itself as a superior to fellow countries which produced nationalism and large support of the government. These beliefs needed to be sustained by a victory. The Japanese defeated the Chinese forces and in turn established hegemony over Korea, in accordance to the Treaty of Shimonoseki. (9).
In response
to the Japanese victory and dominance, the Tonghak rebels regrouped
in an effort to remove Japan's presence from Korea. Yet the modern
army of Japan defeated the rebellion and ended the peasant army's
aim to secure an independent nation. Yet, Japan will be expelled
as their faulty actions will not be forgotten in future generations.
Have faith for, Koreans shall undoubtedly rally to gain independence
in the near future.
1896 Seoul , Korea. The Nationalist.
Sources:
Cited Work
1. Korean embassy, "Nationalism in Korea: Religious Movements," [http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/rel/nationalism.htm], Jan 30, 2002.
2. Ki-baik Lee, A New History of Korea (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1984), 283-290.
3. Lee, 284.
4. Ibid,. 284.
5. Ibid,. 285
6. Ibid., 285.
7. Encyclopedia Britannica Online, "Sino-Japanese War," [http://www.eb.com:180/bol/topic?eu=69707&sctn=1#s_top], Jan 31, 2002.
8. Lee, 289.
9. David I. Steinberg, The Republic of Korea (Boulder: Westview Press, 1989), 38.
Images
1. Carolyn Staley Fine Prints, "Senso-e: Images of War," [http://www.carolynstaleyprints.com/prints/koto1.html], Jan 31, 2002.
2. Encyclopedia Britannica, "Korea, Republic of: map," [http://www.eb.com:180/bol/search?type=topic&query=Map+of+Korea&DBase=Articles], Jan 30, 2002.
3. Carolyn Staley, [http://www.carolynstaleyprints.com/prints/koto1.html] Feb 1, 2002.
For Futher Information
1. OnWar.com: Tonghak Rebellion in Korea 1894-1895
2. To view maps of the Tonghak Rebellions movement in Korea, Look in the Menlo School Library for the following:
A. Steinberg, David I. The Republic of Korea. Boulder: Westview Press, 1989. Page 37.
B. Ki-baik, Lee. A New History of Korea. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1984. Page 286.