The Study of Critical Reception of The History of Tonghak and the Peasant War in Post-colonial Korea

Abstract

The publication of The History of Tonghak by O Chi-Y?ng in 1940 had a great influence in the studies of the Peasant War both in terms of historical material and theory. O Chi-Y?ng rewrote this book based on his own experience and related historial materials. In this book, subtitled “historical novel” was not a fiction but a story to avoid colonial government’s censorship. In particular, this book was published without censorship, although some of the publications from publisher Y?ngch’ang S?kwan under the name of the editor, Kang Ui-y?ng, had been ordered to prohibit the sales. This was due to the fact that the initial draft of the book had been modified partly and the author, O Chi-Y?ng, had lenient attitude to colonial government.BR This book emphasized the strong ties between Tonghak and the Peasant War in regard to the leadership of Tonghak, though North Korean scholars criticized that Tonghak was just “outer skin.” In addition, there have been controversies about the characteristics of 12 Platform of political corruption.BR North Korean scholars explained “O Chi-Y?ng generalized 12 Platforms based on unrecorded materials.” On the other hand, South Korean scholar, Ch?ng Ch’ang-ry?l, have analyzed detailed real function of the 12 Platforms.BR In conclusion, The History of Tonghak went through a dual appropriation process of thoughts and organization of Tonghak Peasant movement in post-colonial Korea.