崔時亨의 동학재건 활동과 교권장악－강원지역을 중심으로－

Abstract

The second leader of Donghak, Choe Sihyeong, is the one who reestablished Donghak after the founder, Choe Jeu, was esecuted. He proceeded with reestablishment twice. The first was when he led the Gyojo Shinwon Movement after Choe Jeu was executed, and when he published Donggyeong Daejeon after the death of Sejung, the eldest son of Choe Jeu. The second was when Donghak collapsed at an alarming rate after the second Donghak Peasants Revolution. Throughout this process, he established Inje as the center of Donghak. The followings are the basis to call Inje as the base of reestablishment movements. Fleeing after the Gyojo Shinwon Movement, Choe Sihyeong evacuated the leader’s family to Yeongwol, Inje, Jeongseon, and other areas in Gangwon-province. Sejung stayed in Gwidun-ri located in Inje. Choe Sihyeong, the de facto second leader, carried out rites such as Deukdo Euirye, Chisungje, Jonanhyangrye, and prayers for Choe Jeu with Inje as the center. In addition, Donghak followers took the advantage of the rugged mountain terrain of Nam-myeon, Inje in order to avoid the pursuit of the royal forces. In 1880, Donggyeong Daejeon was published in Gapdun-ri, Inje. It has historical significance in that Choe Sihyeong was able to systemize Donghak and gain control of it. In the same year, Choe built an office for publishing scriptures in Gapdun-ri, Inje. It was the origin of all scriptures of Donghak, which have been passed down up until these days. He tried to rebuild Donghak for the second time in secret, but his plan died on the vine due to whistle blowing.