| Gabo Reform | |
|---|---|
Officials of Gungukgimucheo |
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| Date | 1894-1896 |
| Gabo Reform | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 갑오 개혁 |
| Hanja | 甲午改革 |
| Revised Romanization | Gabo Gaehyeok |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kabo Kaehyŏk |
The Gabo Reform describes a series of sweeping reforms introduced in Joseon Dynasty Korea beginning in 1894 and ending in 1896, during the reign of King Gojong, in response to the Donghak Peasant Revolution. Historians debate the degree of Japanese influence in this program, as well as its effect in encouraging modernization. The name Gabo (갑오, 甲午) comes from the name of the year 1894 in the traditional sexagesimal cycle.[1]
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In the midst of disarray in Joseon politics at this time, a series of Seonbi scholars mobilized volunteers to fight against the external foreign influence on the government. This also led to the uprising of the Eulmi temporary armies aimed at avenging the assassination of Empress Myeongseong.[2]
Spurred greatly by this incident, the Joseon government was then led by a new progressive government from Kim Hongjip (김홍집) and Yu Kil-chun (유길준) cabinet.[3][4][5] A special reform body, Gunguk Gimucheo (군국기무처, Deliberative Council), was created to establish and oversee the various reforms regarding administration, law, education, and politics.[4]
The reforms were done largely in three stages, according to the changing members of the reform council and the involvement of Japan.
The first reforms took place from July to December 1894, based on the original reform bill presented by Japanese ambassador Otori Keisuke (大鳥圭介), that had been previously refused by the Joseon court and Qing dynasty.[3] As Japan was focused more on the Sino-Japanese War, many of the first reforms reflected the desired reforms of the progressive council members and some of the reforms demanded by the peasants of the Donghak Peasant Revolution did not go undenied.[1]
Two-hundred and eight articles were established, most notably the restructuring of central government by greatly reducing the king's responsibilities and placing more power in the Uijeongbu. The gwageo system was abolished and replaced by a Japanese bureaucratic system. The administration of financial affairs were centralized, the taxation system redressed, a new monetary system allowed the use of Japanese currency, and the measurement system was changed to that of Japan's.[3][4] Other social reforms were addressed as well; discrimination based on the class system, slavery, underage marriage were all banned and widows were granted the right to remarry. These reforms would legally change the traditional feudal system that had been followed for hundreds of years.[3][1]
Japan closed down the Gunguk Gimucheo in December 1894 as the outcome of the Sino-Japanese War was leaning to their favor and set up a new coalition cabinet consisting of Kim Hongjip and Park Younghyo. The cabinet presented a new law, Hongbeom 14jo (홍범 14조, "Exemplary Rules" 14 articles), which proclaimed the severance of the subordinate relationship with China, abolishment of nepotism in government, restructure of government offices and their duties. With this law as foundation, 213 new articles were created.[1] The names of Uijeongbu and its subsidiaries were changed to the modern naegak (내각, cabinet) and bu (부, department). Administrative districts were reorganized to 23 bu(부, region) and 337 gun(군, district). New financial bureaus were installed throughout the nation to overlook tax affairs, military and police systems were rehauled and modernized, judicial systems were changed with new courthouse and judiciary laws.[6]
The second reform measures were halted when Park Young Hyo, who had been at the center of the reform efforts, fled to Japan after being accused of conspiracy of treason by those who were against the reformations that were taking place.[1][7]
A new cabinet, led once again by Kim Hongjip, carried out reforms from August 1895 to February 1896. Their policies resulted in the official discarding of the lunar calendar in favor of the modern Gregorian solar calendar, the official designation of era names independent of the Chinese tradition, the creation of a postal service, the introduction of primary schools and a new educational system[8] and the renewal of the military system.[3]
The most controversial reform at this time was the proclamation of the "Short Hair Act"(단발령, 斷髮令), i.e. cutting off the traditional Korean male Sangtu, and reformation of traditional attire. It triggered many protests among the people, most notably the conservative scholars, who were already disillusioned by the pro-Japanese cabinet. They created the Eulmi righteous army and actively set up protests nationwide which were escalated after the assassination of Empress Myeongseong in 1895. After King Gojong and the crown prince fled for refuge to the Russian legation in 1896, this opposition resulted in the murders of Kim Hongjip and other cabinet members, and the reformations came to an end.[1]
The Gabo Reform was similar to the Meiji Restoration in Japan and produced the following sweeping changes and declarations [4]: