Korean Modernity Rethinking through Gaebyok(Great opening): Focusing on Gaebyok Thinking in the “The Proclamation of Korean Independence”

ABSTRACT

“The Proclamation of Korean Independence” has been analyzed mainly in relation to the Wilson s Self-Determination. But considering the strong relation of Chondogyo and the March 1st Movement, we can guess that the thought of Chondogyo influenced “The Proclamation of Korean Independence” This study focuses on Gaebyok thought in Donhak as a origin of Chondogyo, Zeungsangyo which maintained true Donghak, and Won Buddhism which succeeded them, and analyzed “The Proclamation of Korean Independence.” As a result, we can find that the core thought of Gaebyok Religion, for example frontier spirit, the thought of transformation of civilization, moral pacifism and so on, “The Proclamation of Korean Independence.” This result suggests that not only “The Proclamation of Korean Independence” but also Korean modernity itself need to be approached from the viewpoint of Gaebyok thought.