[Interview] Josangyeol, CEO of Daedong Cultural Foundation: "Reviving the Spirit of Traditional Culture"

Shedding Light on the Life of Josangyeol, Guardian of Traditional Culture
The Pain of May 1980 in Gwangju... The Starting Point for the Foundation
Sublimating the Spirit of Honam into a Cultural Movement with Citizens
Many Supporters from Heritage Field Trips to Foundation Establishment
Wishing to Give Back through the 30th Anniversary Performance "Ullim"

Josangyeol, CEO of Daedong Cultural Foundation, is explaining the history of the magazine "Daedong Munhwa," which has been published for over 30 years. Photo by Shim Jinseok

For the past 30 years, the Daedong Cultural Foundation has quietly walked its path with the aim of fostering spiritual richness and a more beautiful world through the history and cultural heritage of Korea.

The foundation has continued its tireless efforts to promote a proper understanding of Korean heritage and to advance traditional culture, sharing in the joys and sorrows of the local community. As the years have passed, the Daedong Cultural Foundation has begun preparing for new changes. We met with Josangyeol, CEO of the Daedong Cultural Foundation, to look back on the journey so far and to discuss the future direction of the foundation. <Editor's Note>

- What kind of organization is the Daedong Cultural Foundation, which has been with the local community for 30 years?

▲ The name "Daedong" is taken from the well-known "Daedongyeojido" (Daedong Map). While "Daedongyeojido" refers to the Korean Peninsula?our country?it also carries the meaning of "together." We chose the name "Daedong Cultural Foundation" out of a desire for all citizens to learn about our nation's traditions and historical heritage together.

True to its name, the foundation now engages in a wide range of activities encompassing culture and the arts, including cultural heritage preservation projects, heritage guardianship, and humanities lectures.

In particular, the foundation continues its founding spirit by conducting monthly cultural heritage field trips. Keeping pace with changes in society, we also focus on promoting Korean Peninsula culture to a wider audience through our YouTube channel (Immunhak Suda).

- What inspired the founding of the Daedong Cultural Foundation?

▲ I believe that the relationships we form in life are extremely important, especially for someone like me who did not follow a formal educational path.

To my embarrassment, I continued my education through the qualification exam system rather than regular schooling. After completing high school, I lived as an ordinary person working a regular job.

However, I have always been fortunate to have good people around me. Thanks to the many helpful relationships throughout my life, I am where I am today.

One particularly special relationship was with Oh Jiho, a Western-style painter and nationalist. I first met him in the mid-1970s while studying at the Honam Hanmunhakwon, located in the annex of Honam-dong Cathedral in Gwangju, where he was the honorary director. I had the honor of being close to him for over two years.

The Honam Hanmunhakwon was the first academy in Korea to be officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, and it served as a cultural salon for prominent local figures. Not only Oh Jiho, but also Heo Baekryeon, Koo Cheolwoo, Kim Yonggu, Ahn Gyudong, Father Kim Jeongyong, and Kim Changsun were regular visitors. Meeting these giants of culture, art, and local society at a young age provided the spiritual foundation for who I am today.

Oh Jiho would often tell me to "live a life mindful of the nation." As a cold and hungry teenager, I did not fully understand what that meant at the time. However, the 5·18 Democratization Movement in May 1980 became a major turning point for me.

The spring in Namdo, which should have been the most beautiful, was instead a spring of pain, brutally torn apart by the boots of the new military regime. I witnessed firsthand the atrocities committed by the martial law army. The citizens of Gwangju, filled with anger, took to Geumnam-ro to resist, and I was no exception. One day, I saw a young comrade who had fought alongside me on Geumnam-ro die a horrific death. At that moment, my heart was filled with both rage and fear. The fear that I had to survive suppressed my anger, and I fled to my hometown of Geumcheon in Naju, 70 ri away. I survived out of fear and cowardice, and I suffered from shame ever since. Until the early 1990s, I could not speak a word about "May Gwangju" and lived with heartache. Later, I gathered the courage to visit the graves of the fallen in Mangwoldong and pledged with tears before my comrades.

"I will live up to the value of this life I have survived, and then follow after you. Rest in peace!" Fifteen years later, I established the Daedong Cultural Foundation, which has become my life's work.

I have tried to live in a way that brings positive influence to this land, fostering a proper understanding of the long history left by our ancestors and the development of traditional culture. I believe Oh Jiho's teachings and my sense of debt to May Gwangju formed the foundation for this. The social atmosphere of the early 1990s also played a role. In particular, Professor Yoo Hongjun's "cultural heritage field trip syndrome" influenced me and became the catalyst for my current life as a cultural heritage guardian.

Jang Soyul, CEO of Daedong Cultural Foundation, is explaining the certificates of commendation received from the government and others while managing the foundation. Photo by Shim Jinseok

- It seems there must have been many difficulties over the past 30 years.

▲ I started teaching classical Chinese in my early twenties, and by my mid-thirties, I had become a fairly popular lecturer thanks to my engaging speaking style. One day, together with junior students, I went on a field trip to the Gasa cultural area. This was June 6, 1995, the day we took our first step toward becoming a professional field trip organization. We invited Kim Heetae, a cultural heritage specialist, as a field lecturer, and through his explanations, I once again realized the importance of cultural heritage. This experience led to the formation of our field trip society. We then began conducting regular field trips and published a collection of materials titled "Following the Breath of History." This eventually evolved into today's cultural magazine, "Daedong Munhwa."

The core value of the Daedong Cultural Foundation is to share and protect our cultural values.

Because we do not pursue profit, the foundation has been sustained by the support of many people. Although it has been challenging, we are currently able to carry out various public interest activities based on donations collected from over 250 members.

However, it is true that interest in our traditions has been declining over time. Although we are undertaking various activities to revive this interest, there are times when it feels overwhelming.

There are also times when people view our activities with prejudice.

We have tried to generate our own revenue by publishing magazines and running a printing business, but as the print industry faces a downturn, even this has become difficult.

Support from local governments such as Gwangju is desperately needed, but the reality is that it is not easy to obtain. The interest and support of many people are urgently needed.

- There must be many memorable moments from running the foundation.

▲ Today, the Daedong Cultural Foundation is recognized by many as a leading traditional culture guardian organization in the Honam region. I take pride in the fact that "Daedong Munhwa," our bimonthly magazine published for over 30 years, is the oldest cultural magazine in Honam that contains the content of our culture. In particular, the "Daedong Traditional Culture Grand Prize" (first awarded in 2019), which is presented to master artisans and is made possible through citizen support, is something I consider especially meaningful.

Protecting our culture ultimately means preserving the thread of tradition. That is why I wanted to express my gratitude to those who quietly but valuably safeguard our culture alongside us.

There was once a craftsman at Yangdong Market who had been making handmade saws for over 60 years. He was recommended for an award by a benefactor, and when he asked me, "Do people like me really receive awards?"?I have never forgotten those words.

I simply held his hands and said, "Thank you," but I cannot express how much I cried inside.

After that day, I resolved once again to protect people like him no matter what.

A timeline summarizing the 30-year history of Daedong Cultural Foundation at a glance. Photo by Shim Jinseok

- I understand you have planned the "Ullim" congratulatory performance to mark the 30th anniversary of the Daedong Cultural Foundation this year.

▲ It is difficult to put into words how challenging it is for a private organization to endure for 30 years. These years have been spent not only preserving our culture but also working to renew and develop it further.

I have devoted everything I have to this cause. Now, I believe it is time to reconsider my values and the direction in which the foundation should move forward. I also thought that it was time to create a new resonance in our society.

Above all, I wanted to express my gratitude to the local community for supporting our foundation.

This "Ullim" performance is the culmination of all these efforts. Through this performance, which is deeply Korean and embodies our national sentiment, I hope to set a new milestone for a cultural revolution.

I hope that many people will attend the event and share the experience with singer Sohyang and master singer Jang Saik.

- What are your future goals?

▲ I believe that the Daedong Cultural Foundation's unwavering commitment to protecting traditional culture and sharing its precious value is itself a way of continuing tradition.

I spent my youth with the foundation. Even I, who pushed forward with the vigor of youth, sometimes feel that I have grown old. It is now time to pass the foundation on to the next generation, and I am working to lay the groundwork for that transition. I only hope that, even if someone else takes over the foundation, the core philosophy with which it was founded will remain intact.

I hope that more citizens will participate so that, together, we can protect our disappearing culture. The world is enthusiastic about our culture, calling it K-culture. However, if our traditions collapse, the depth of our current culture and arts will ultimately disappear, because there will be no roots. The traditional culture of the Korean Peninsula can be summed up as simplicity. I believe that this is ultimately the direction in which the Daedong Cultural Foundation should move forward.