(EDITORIAL from The Korea Herald on Aug. 27)
The government of North Jeolla Province in southwestern Korea will reportedly pa...
The North Jeolla Province in South Korea plans to pay an annual allowance of 1.2 million won ($868) to 723 descendants of participants in the Donghak Peasant Revolution, which took place 132 years ago. This decision is raising concerns about the precedent it sets and the financial situation of the province, which is already deeply in debt.
The Donghak Peasant Revolution was a popular uprising against feudalism and foreign powers in the late Joseon period, but providing cash payments to great-great-grandchildren of revolution participants is seen as absurd and detrimental to the nation's veterans benefits system. The decision also sets a dangerous precedent that could undermine the government's honor system and create confusion with officially recognized independence activists.
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