Donghak Peasant Revolution
Treaty of Jeonju
#### Treaty of Jeonju

On 7 May, Kim Hak\-jin, the new administrator of Jeonju, ordered Hong to make peace with the rebels. The rebels, suffering from lack of food, accepted. This came to be called the Treaty of Jeonju (全州和約)[:ko:전주화약](/wiki/%EC%A0%84%EC%A3%BC%ED%99%94%EC%95%BD "전주화약") or Jeonju Truce. Hong accepted twelve rebel requests:
1. Accept the [Donghak](/wiki/Donghak "Donghak") religion.
2. Punish corrupt officials.
3. Punish those who became illegally rich.
4. Punish corrupt [Yangban](/wiki/Yangban "Yangban") and [Seonbi](/wiki/Seonbi "Seonbi").
5. Free all [slaves](/wiki/Nobi "Nobi").
6. Free the [Cheonmin](/wiki/Cheonmin "Cheonmin") class, and cease the branding of butchers.
7. Legalize the remarriage of widows.
8. Lower taxes.
9. Pick politicians based on qualities, not families.
10. Punish those who cooperate with the [Empire of Japan](/wiki/Empire_of_Japan "Empire of Japan").
11. Illegalize debts.
12. Give their land to all peasants.
Following the truce, the rebels climbed out of the fortress using ladders, and Hong entered the empty fortress.

Both sides celebrated their 'victory'. Hong held a feast with his soldiers inside [Jeonju Fortress](/wiki/Jeonju_Fortress "Jeonju Fortress"), while the rebels sang the *Geomgyeol*, a [Donghak](/wiki/Donghak "Donghak") religious hymn which begins: 


Why did the rebels accept the truce?