Archives of April 19 Revolution and Donghak Peasant Revolution Newly Inscribed on Memory of World

The 216th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO, meeting in Paris from May 10 to 24, made the final decision on May 18 to inscribe the “Archives of the April 19 Revolution” and the “Archives of the Donghak Peasant Revolution” on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. 

The Archives of the April 19 Revolution and the Archives of the Donghak Peasant Revolution are considered the documentary heritage, which record the historic events that made great contributions to the development of democracy in the Republic of Korea. 

 

One of the student demonstrations during the April 19 Revolution

 

The Archives of the April 19 Revolution is an extensive collection of documentary materials (1,019 items) about the student-initiated, pro-democracy movement that erupted in the spring of 1960s in the Republic of Korea and it was recognized for its global significance as a documentary heritage that affected the student movements taking place in the 1960s around the globe. 

The Archives of the Donghak Peasant Revolution is a collection (185 items) associated with the Donghak Peasant Revolution that occurred from 1894 to 1895 during the Joseon period.

It was recognized for its global significance as a popular uprising through which the public acted as a protagonist to make endeavor for the universal values of freedom, equality and human rights. 

The Cultural Heritage Administration called for nomination papers as early as from March to May in 2017 and selected the two documentary items for the nomination after a series of consultations with experts.

However, the nomination process was suspended for 4 years due to the international body’s decision of revamping the overall MoW system.

 

Letter of Appointment of Revolutionary Army during the Donghak Peasant Movement

 

With the resumption of the nomination process in 2021, CHA could submit the prepared nomination files on November 30 of the same year. 

Adding the two items, Korea now has 18 MoW documents on the International Register, which include: Hunmin Jeongeum Manuscript (1997); The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty (1997); Baegun hwasang chorok buljo jikji simche yojeol (vol.ll), the second volume of “Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests’ Zen Teachings” (2001); Seungjeongwon Ilgi, the Diaries of the Royal Secretariat (2001); Uigwe, the Royal Protocols of the Joseon Dynasty (2007); Printing woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana and miscellaneous Buddhist scriptures (2007); Donguibogam, Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine (2009); Ilseongnok Records of Daily Reflections (2011); Human Rights Documentary Heritage 1980 Archives for the May 18th Democratic Uprising against Military Regime in Gwangju, Republic of Korea (2011); Nanjung Ilgi: War Diary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (2013); Archives of Saemaul Undong (New Community Movement) (2013); The Archives of the KBS Special Live Broadcast “Finding Dispersed Families” (2015); Royal Seal and Investiture Book Collection of the Joseon Dynasty (2017); The Archives of the National Debt Redemption Movement (2017); Documents on Joseon Tongsinsa/Chosen Tsushinshi (Korean Embassies): The History of Peace Building and Cultural Exchanges between Korea and Japan from the 17th to 19th Century (2017); Archives of the April 19 Revolution (2023); the Archives of the Donghak Peasant Revolution (2023). 

 

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