Ever wondered how a school could be part of a national salvation movement? Jinmyeong Girls’ High School has a unique story. This private girls’ high school is located in Yangcheon-gu Seoul. Let’s step back in time.
Jinmyeong Girls’ High School was established in 1906. Princess Consort Eom gave financial support. She was also known as Princess Sunheon. King Gojong started a national salvation movement through education. Jinmyeong was part of this movement. It was even called an “imperial school”. Its main goal was to give girls modern westernized education. This was quite progressive for the time.
But challenges arose. In 1910 the Japanese army took control. This happened during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Despite this a spirit of resistance grew. In 1919 some Jinmyeong students started an independence movement. They stood up against the Japanese occupiers.
More recently in 2022 Jinmyeong Girls’ High School faced criticism. Students were reportedly forced to write letters to soldiers. The soldiers then allegedly sexualized these students.
Over the years Jinmyeong has produced many notable women. Noh Cheonmyeong a poet attended in the 1920s. Hwang Yun-suk became South Korea’s first female judge. Eunha the lead vocalist of K-pop group GFriend is also an alumna. Na Hye-sok a feminist poet writer painter educator and journalist also has ties here. She graduated and later taught at Jinmyeong.
Jinmyeong Girls’ High School has a long and complex history. It began with royal support and a mission to educate. It faced occupation and controversy. Yet it continues to educate young women today.