Children, Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren... Stir Over Donghak Revolution Descendants Receiving 100,000 Won Monthly Stipend 132 Years On

Jeonbuk to Pay Allowances to Descendants of Donghak Revolution Participants
Annual 1.2 Million Won Each for 723 Recipients
Criticism Over "Excessive Respect" Persists

The Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province's decision to provide a monthly stipend of 100,000 won to the descendants of participants in the Donghak Peasant Revolution of 1894 has sparked controversy. While the initiative aims to establish historical honor for the region as the birthplace of the revolution and carry forward its noble spirit, critics are questioning the appropriateness of allocating public finances for descendants of a popular uprising that took place more than 130 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty. Some have raised concerns over the criteria for payment and the scope of financial support, arguing, "At this rate, will stipends be paid to descendants of those who fought in the Imjin War as well?"

Gogunsan Archipelago, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do. Tour Jeonbuk Homepage

1.2 Million Won Per Person Annually for 723 Individuals

On August 25th, the Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province announced that, under the "Ordinance on Supporting Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Projects," it would grant a survivor stipend of 1.2 million won annually per person to 723 descendants of Donghak Peasant Revolution participants who have resided in the province for at least one year.

This year's project budget totals 868 million won, with Jeonbuk Province and its cities and counties splitting the cost at a 3:7 ratio. Initially, the main budget included allocation for 549 beneficiaries, but both the eligible headcount and funding were increased to 723 through a supplementary budget.

The recipients are determined in accordance with the "Special Act on Restoring the Honor of Donghak Peasant Revolution Participants and Others" and include officially recognized and registered children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of participants. At present, there are no surviving children; the eligible group consists of 108 grandchildren and 615 great-grandchildren.

Applications will be received from September 4 to September 22 at the town, township, or neighborhood offices where the descendants reside. The final beneficiaries will be confirmed following verification by each city or county as well as the Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Foundation, and stipends are scheduled to be paid out between November and December. However, in certain areas, payment timing may vary depending on the budget allocation schedule.

"Historical Respect" vs. "Excessive Coverage"

The Donghak Peasant Revolution was an anti-feudal and anti-foreign movement in 1894, led by Jeon Bongjun, Kim Gaenam, Son Hwajung, and others, involving both peasants and followers of the Donghak religion. The Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province maintains that, given the symbolic significance as the birthplace of the revolution and its importance in Korea's modern and contemporary history, increased recognition and support for participants and their descendants is warranted.

Lee Wontack, Governor of Jeollabuk-do, stated, "Providing survivor stipends is a meaningful beginning to raise the honor of the participants and to pass their spirit on to their descendants. We will continue to work to ensure that the Donghak Peasant Revolution is fully acknowledged as a historical asset to Korean democracy and that its participants receive appropriate national respect."

Sculpture at the Jeongeup Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Park, Jeonbuk. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

However, there has been considerable backlash regarding the stipend payments. In particular, equity concerns have been raised about the appropriateness of providing ongoing cash payments from a local government to the descendants of an event that occurred 132 years ago. Others worry that the support might eventually extend to the descendants of those who took part in even older historical incidents, such as volunteer armies during the Imjin War.

On online platforms, critics have commented, "If there are funds to support Donghak Peasant Revolution descendants, priority should instead go to the bereaved families of victims of the Korean War or the Vietnam War," and, "It is excessive to provide cash benefits to the descendants of incidents from the Joseon era."

Debate Over Scope of Eligibility Has Precedent

This is not the first time a debate has arisen over survivor stipends. Even within the Jeollabuk-do provincial government, opinions have diverged between the need for recognition due to the historical significance and the practical difficulties involved in accurately verifying eligible descendants.

Since 2020, Jeongeup City in Jeollabuk-do has been granting a monthly stipend of 100,000 won to 93 descendants of Donghak Peasant Revolution participants. The province's current initiative effectively extends such support from the municipal to the provincial level.

Jeonbuk Jeongeup Herbone. Tour Jeonbuk Homepage

In 2023, Iksan City opposed the expanded support on grounds that it is nearly impossible to identify all descendants of participants from an event that occurred 131 years ago and that demands for support could spread to the descendants of other historical events. However, it has recently been reported that Iksan City has shifted to a position of support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.