Gochang County Opens "Gochang Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Hall"

Promotional Videos, OX Quiz Monitors, and Photo Zones Provided

Gochang County in North Jeolla Province announced on May 15 that it held the opening ceremony for the Gochang Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Hall the previous day, across from the county office.

Gochang County held the opening ceremony of the Gochang Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Hall on the 14th across from the county office. Photo by Gochang County

This new memorial hall was relocated and remodeled from the former Donghak Peasant Revolution Promotion Center, which was situated on the site of the former Sinwang Elementary School in Gongeum-myeon, to the center of Gochang, near the statue of General Jeon Bongjun. This move has improved both accessibility and usability.

In particular, the name was changed from the former "Gochang Donghak Peasant Revolution Promotion Center" to "The Beginning of Democracy: Gochang Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Hall." Through this, the historical significance of the Donghak Peasant Revolution as the starting point of democracy has been re-examined, thereby enhancing the region's identity and historical symbolism.

The memorial hall features exhibitions on the development of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, artifacts such as the Mujang Proclamation, which is recognized as a UNESCO Memory of the World, as well as various educational and experiential content including digital promotional videos, OX quiz monitors, photo zones, and guided tour programs.

On the rooftop of the memorial hall, three flower beds equipped with sunshade facilities and benches have been created, providing an open rest area where both local residents and visitors can relax comfortably.

During the opening ceremony, an award ceremony was also held for the 12 works selected as winners of the "Youth Literary Award," a poetry contest for local youth held in March. The top prize, the Mujang Gipo Award, was given to Chun Euihyeon, a third-year student at Yeongseon Middle School, for the poem "The Spring of Nokdu Returns."

Shim Deokseop, the county governor, stated, "The Gochang Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Hall will serve not only as an exhibition space but also as a place to convey the spirit and ethos of Gochang." He added, "I hope that many people will visit this complex cultural space where residents and visitors can freely stay and learn."