Letter from Yangban-Origin Donghak Peasant Army to Become Cultural Heritage

Revealing the Fact of Fighting Japanese Troops and Requesting Military Funds
"Original Letter Written by Nongmingun, Precious Value"

"When the country is in distress, the people must also worry. I left home and wandered for years, neglecting my family duties and failing to fulfill my responsibilities as a son. It is fortunate that you, Gwangpal, are taking care of the household in place of your elder brother. Our long fight alongside the Japanese army is out of righteousness (義) to repay the grace of the nation."

This is a classical Chinese letter sent in November 1894 by Yu Gwanghwa (1858?1894), a nobleman's son, to his younger brother Gwangpal shortly before he lost his life. He was active in the leadership of the Donghak Peasant Army. He procured military supplies and participated in battles such as the Battle of Hwasun, dreaming of a new world. In the letter, he reveals that they are fighting the Japanese army and requests funds for the military.

On the 6th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that it plans to register the 'Donghak Peasant Army Letter' written by Yu Gwanghwa during battle as a National Registered Cultural Heritage. They will collect opinions from various sectors for a month and finalize the registration after review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

The letter was donated to the Donghak Peasant Revolution Foundation by Kim Sundeok, a descendant who had preserved it. It is one of the few records written by the peasant army, providing insight into the realities of procuring military supplies at the time. The Cultural Heritage Administration commented, "It reveals that the yangban class also participated in the Donghak Peasant Revolution," and added, "It is valuable as an original letter directly written by the peasant army."