Battle of Ugeumchi

The Battle of Ugeumchi was a decisive battle during the Donghak Peasant Revolution. Fought between the Donghak Korean peasants and the combined Japanese-Joseon Army, it resulted in the decline of the Donghak Rebellion and the growth of Japanese Imperialism in Korea.

Background

As the Korean government had difficulty in suppressing the Donghak movement, an emissary was sent to the Qing empire to request an immediate troop dispatch. The Qing court replied by sending the necessary soldiers. Japan also sent troops on the pretext of protecting Japanese citizens in Korea. As the Chinese and Japanese armies poured into the peninsula, Jeon Bong-jun, the leader of Donghak peasants, rallied the Korean peasants and led them to once rebel against the Joseon court and drive out the foreign "devils".

Battle

In the early stage of the battle, the peasant force gained early successes against the Joseon army. However, they began to retire when the Japanese troops arrived to reinforce the government force. When the Donghak army advanced the second time, the Japanese, armed with the more modern rifles and cannons, easily defeated peasants, armed only with bamboo spears and outdated matchlocks. As the peasant casualites mounted, Jeon ordered a retreat and the Donghak army scattered.

Aftermath

After the battle, Donghak peasants lost most of their power and were soon suppressed. The Japanese grew increasingly influential in the Korean peninsula after the battle. Jeon Bong-jun fled to Sunchang to regroup and rally another army, but his followers betrayed Jeon and had him arrested on December 12, 1894. He was sent to Seoul and hanged.

See also

• Donghak Peasant Revolution
• First Sino-Japanese war
• Jeon Bong-jun

References

• (Korean) 한국민족문화대사전 (Ethnic Korean Culture Dictionary)
• (Korean) 동학농민혁명
• (English) Site of Donghak Peasant Revolution