Leading the Donghak Peasant Movement

Corruption was rampant in the 19th century Joseon. No longer willing to take it, people rose up against the ruling class, sparking in 1894 a movement of ordinary farmers and peasants against corrupt government officials and encroaching Japanese forces. This was the first time in Korean history that ordinary people banded together to bring about a better life. And in the forefront of the movement was Jeon Bong-jun, nicknamed “Nokdu Janggun (General Mung Bean).

Jeon Bong-jun was born in 1855 to a Confucian teacher in Gochang, North Jeolla Province. But his father was executed for leading a revolt, which motivated him to dream of social reform. He entered Donghak, a local religion, around age 30 and rose in the ranks to oversee the Gobu district in North Jeolla Province.

Jeon opened a private academy and an Oriental medicine clinic in Gobu to serve the community. Then on January 8th, 1894 he raided a government office in Gobu with some 1,000 farmers and Donghak followers. The attack was to punish the Gobu mayor who seized people’s assets and imposed heavy taxes to fill his own coffers and framed anyone who opposed him. Shorter than average man, Jeon more than made up his short stature with exceptional courage and charisma. He emboldened farmers and local residents to mount an assault against the corrupt mayor, freeing the unfairly imprisoned and distributing food to the poor.

Following the revolt, the royal court appointed a new mayor and offered immunity to the peasants if they went back to their previous lives. But the official sent by the central government to repair the damage reignited people’s wrath by locking up innocent people during his crackdown on rebellion instigators and participants.

Defending the Nation and Keeping the People Safe

Under the slogan “Bogukanmin,” meaning that the people are the foundation of a nation and the nation would fall if the foundation were weak, Jeon sent out notices to other Donghak leaders around the country to rise up with him. Rising to the call, roughly 13,000 people gathered for the revolt in Gobu on May 4, 1894.

Jeon wrote a statement informing people of the reason behind the uprising, and set up four overarching rules, including “don’t kill people and don’t destroy properties,” before charging ahead. Jeon’s army of peasants overwhelmed nearby cities and took over Jeonju in just one month since the start of rebellion. His reputation as a bold leader spread just as fast, compelling the central government to ask for help from the Qing court. Even Japan sneaked its army into Joseon during the chaos under the pretext of balancing out the power with the Chinese. Threatened from both fronts, Jeon stated that his forces would withdraw from Jeonju if the government accepted his reform plan, which included punishment for corrupt officials, freedom for slaves, and fair distribution of land. Not wanting further bloodshed, the government agreed to a peace treaty with Jeon on May 7.

Betrayed and Fallen, yet Remembered

But the agreement was not honored. The Japanese army invaded the royal palace of Gyeongbok Palace, allowing Japan to meddle in the internal affairs of Joseon. Enraged at Japan’s blatant attempt to occupy his homeland, Jeon again led an army of 12,000 farmers against the Japanese invaders. However, Jeon’s forces were no match for Japan’s modern weapons and the alliance of the Japanese and Joseon military. An irrevocable defeat in Gongju forced Jeon to disband his army and go into hiding. He was on his way to visit another rebel leader in the Honam region when a turncoat follower led government forces to capture him on December 2nd.

Jeon was executed in 1895, but his death was not forgotten by those he inspired. Just like the mung bean, short but sturdy enough to grow in the worst possible environment, Jeon, also known as General Mung Bean, was steadfast in his commitment to make people’s lives better. His loyalty and love for the most vulnerable class empowered the Korean resistance movement against the Japanese occupation forces. This showed that Jeon’s vision for a better future did not die with him, but rather gained strength after his death and still lives on to this day in our aspirations for equality and integrity.