The startled Seoul government hurriedly sends an investigator to the scene.
On the basis of his findings of fraudulent practices by the local officials, the government hastily revises the land, military, and grain lending systems in an effort to eliminate such abuses.
Although it is unrealistic to expect the ruling class in the central government, which is itself deeply involved in such frauds, to make radical changes, at least a superficial attempt at reform is made.
Choe Je-u, as the illegitimate son of a high-caste man and a twice-married woman, had been thus refused access to positions of importance in society.
In 1860, he had had a spiritual revelation in which God spoke to him, telling him that all other religions were wrong and that all humans had God within them.
This meant that all people were equal, including women.
Choe’s vision had soon turned into a new native religion called Donghak or Tonghak (Eastern Learning), popular among the mistreated and underprivileged peasants.
Donghak calls for veneration of god "Haneullim" ("Lord of Heaven"), and holding the belief that man is not created by a supernatural God, but man is instead caused by an innate God.
As Koreans have believed in Haneullim from ancient times, Donghak can be regarded as a truly Korean religion, unlike Buddhism or Christianity.
Outraged at this radical philosophy, the government beheads Choe Je-u and persecutes his followers in an attempt to suppress the movement.
At the same time, persecution of Korean Christians increases.
