Kang Kijeong: "Carrying On the Donghak and May Spirit for a Better World Together"

Attendance at the Jeongeup Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Ceremony

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong attended the '131st Anniversary of the Donghak Peasant Revolution Ceremony' held on the 11th at the Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Park in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, and read aloud the armed proclamation containing the background of the Donghak uprising. Provided by Gwangju City

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong attended the '131st Anniversary of the Donghak Peasant Revolution Ceremony' held on May 11 at the Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Park in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, honoring the noble spirit of the Donghak Peasant Revolution and reflecting on its historical significance connected to the Gwangju spirit.

This year's ceremony was held under the theme "The Cry of Nokdu Flower, A World Where We Live Together." More than 500 people attended, including National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Miran, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Governor Kim Kwanyoung, Jeollanam-do Vice Governor Myung Changhwan, Jeongeup Mayor Lee Haksoo, and descendants of Donghak Peasant Revolution participants.

The ceremony proceeded with the screening of a video on the Donghak Peasant Revolution, a ceremony for delivering family notifications to descendants of revolution participants, the reading of the armed proclamation outlining the background and objectives of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, and the closing declaration.

Mayor Kang paid tribute to the victims of the Donghak Peasant Revolution by laying flowers and participated in reading the armed proclamation, reaffirming the values of Donghak. Kang Kijeong stated, "Just as General Jeon Bongjun declared that the people are the foundation of the nation, I will do my utmost to carry on the Donghak spirit and contribute to creating a better world for all."

The Donghak Peasant Revolution was a historic event in 1894 in which peasants suffering under the old feudal system rose up independently against injustice and foreign intervention. The Donghak Peasant Revolution Ceremony has been held annually as a government event since 2019, with May 11 designated as a national memorial day to commemorate the first victory of the Donghak Peasant Army over government and Japanese forces at Hwangtohyeon.