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By Kim Jin-heon
In 1929, Korea was occupied and governed by Japan. As a result, many Japanese people migrated to Korea and began living here. They discriminated against Korean students and Korean people. The same year, Korean students in Gwangju launched a protest against the unjust attitudes of the Japanese for the first time.
Japanese students abused a Korean female student and this resulted in an outcry. The student concerned, Park Gi-ok, and her cousin Park Jun-chae, lived in Naju and commuted to school in Gwangju by train. One day, Japanese boys on the train began to pull her hair roughly. Park Jun-chae advised them to curb their unrefined behavior. They didn't and Park fought them. As the story of this encounter spread in Gwangju, a protest exploded in the streets.
In those days, Jun-chae and Gi-ok were staying in Nampagotaek (an old house of Nampa) with their grandfather, Jae-gyu (1857-1931). The house was like a palace, producing 8,000 "seok" of rice (one seok is 80 kilograms) every year. Grandfather Jae-gyu, as head of a large family, taught them not to be miserly with a fortune but use it for the public good.
Jae-gyu's nickname was Nampa. He was not tall, but magnanimous, powerful and shrewd. In 1895, the king of Joseon (1392-1910) ordered citizens to obey an ordinance prohibiting topknots. At that time, a public servant in Naju who supported the new mandate without considering the dissent expressed by noblemen and citizens was killed in public. A riot was being planned to oppose the ordinance. If the citizens and the government's army clashed, the future of Naju would be damaged beyond repair. Jae-gyu played a pivotal role in this critical moment as a mediator because though he was rich he was philanthropic towards the citizens. Thus, the riot did not take place.
Naju had a bad crop in 1904 but Nampa donated 200 bags of rice to the citizens. In 1905, he did it again. In 1907 and 1908, when his nephews, two activists in Naju, raised an army against the occupying Japanese, he provided them with weapons, clothes and food. One of his sons also helped national newspapers to begin publication and companies to establish their businesses.
Nampa and his descendants demonstrated self-esteem, patriotism and benevolence. Local historians have pointed out that Naju had a long history as a center of marine logistics and was the granary of the Naju plain. This history gave the city powerful local families and dignified citizens. Naju also has a varied cultural heritage with ancient tombs in Bannam and Bokamni, many types of ramparts and big buildings. It was a gateway from the inland regions to the sea. Naju's heritage encouraged its citizens to have a strong patriotic spirit.
Whenever the city was invaded by foreigners or affected by revolution, the citizens voluntarily participated in wars or defended the city. For example, when the Sambyeolcho army raided the city during the 918-1392 Goryeo Kingdom, the people routed the army. When Donghak peasant soldiers invaded the city, they were also defeated. In exchange for the sacrifice of the citizens, the powerful families in the region maintained their power and wealth, taking care to provide the citizens with food, clothing and shelter.
When Japan began to govern the Korean Peninsula in 1910, Nampa was one of the especially powerful families and his descendants helped the poor neighbors and resisted the Japanese. Later, during the 1950-53 Korean War, the family cared for the citizens with sincerity. Thanks to their altruism, this house has remained untouched. It is designated as Primary Folk Material 263 as a house typical of the region's upper class.
He is a retired English teacher who published a book titled, "Flower Is Flower."
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