Gobu Revolt

Gobu Revolt
Part of Donghak Peasant Revolution
Picture depicting peasants gathered at Malmok marketplace as they ready to revolt.
Date January 11, 1894 Location Gobu, Jeolla, Korea Result Rebel victory
Belligerents
Donghak Peasant Army	Kingdom of Joseon Joseon Army
Commanders and leaders
Jeon Bong-jun	Jo Byung-gap
Strength
1,000 peasants[1]	Unknown

The Gobu Revolt (Korean: 고부 민란) was the initial uprising that occurred in Gobu, Jeolla Province, erupted in January 1894 (the 31st year of King Gojong's reign) during the Joseon Dynasty. It was fueled by the anger of the local farmers against the exploitative practices of the county magistrate, Jo Byung-gap.^[2] While the causes and processes of the Gobu Revolt were similar to other uprisings during the late Joseon Dynasty, the significance lies in the fact that the leaders and the people were able to elevate it to a higher level of peasant uprising through their experiences with previous uprisings. The Gobu Revolt was not a spontaneous or impulsive event but a planned movement with clear objectives initiated by the Donghak local leaders, including Jeon Bong-jun, as part of the anti-feudal and anti-foreign movement that emerged mainly among the Donghak peasant farmers after the Boeun Assembly in March 1893.^[2] The Gobu Revolt became a catalyst for the development of the Donghak Peasant Revolution throughout Jeolla Province.^[3]