The purpose of this study is to find democratic civic education, which is implicit in the Donghak ideology, and to study the necessity of democratic civic education. The method of research was carried out with the study of literature using the contents of papers and journals.
We looked at the characteristics of Donghak, which emerged in the 19th century during the special circumstances of the Joseon Dynasty at home and abroad. It looked at the images of democracy embedded in the ideas of Sicheonju, Tentimcheon, and the people of the Republic of Korea. In other words, we studied how democratic ideas such as human rights, equality, and freedom were expressed in the Donghak ideology. In addition, the practice of democratic citizens was found through the operation of the system of the Donghak, such as the Four-Joopje and the concentration camp. Donghak ideology has given the people a path and hope for modernization. The democratic and civic aspects intended to be realized through the Donghak ideology are as follows: First, the representative sicheonju idea of Donghak practiced egalitarianism based on human dignity. It was confirmed that the human rights and equality ideas of the Sicheonju ideology were practiced in real life rather than as mere doctrines through Choi Je-woo's life in Joseon society, which was conducted under the strict status system. Second, it was examined that the people of Donghak protected the country and practiced public justice in Joseon society, which was in crisis due to foreign invasions. The national crisis and the chaotic appearance of the country were described as the people of the Korean People's Republic of Korea, and the main body was the people. The people of the Republic of Korea showed the nature of democracy in that they voluntarily stepped forward for national security and demanded national sovereignty. Third, the people voluntarily formed a public social domain through the system of clapping, the organization of Donghak. Through the approach system, remarks on public issues began and participated in the political process. It could be confirmed that this was an important indicator of democracy. The Joseon government also recognized the system as a civil society, suggesting that Korea's democracy is being initiated by the Donghak ideology. Fourth, the idea of Patiencecheon, established by Sohn Byeong-hee, was established during the reign of Cheondogyo after Suwoon and Haewol. We can see that this is a practice of democracy through thorough human rights equality. Fifth, the concentration camp with unique characteristics developed from the traditional system could confirm the start of democracy in its role as a cooperative body between the government and the people. The concentration camp handled administrative, judicial, and public security affairs autonomously. Although it was a short period of time, it was the beginning of Korean local autonomy. Representative democracy and direct democracy were practiced through the role of the representative body of the assembly and the city council, which played the role of the people's assembly, in the operation of the concentration camp. The concentration camp is the fruit of the revolution led by the people, and it is significant that it was the first government-civilian cooperative organization in our history.