Gojong of Korea
Encyclopedia
Gojong the Emperor Gwangmu was the twenty-sixth king of the Korea
n Joseon Dynasty
and the first emperor of the Korean Empire
.
During the mid 1860s the Heungseon Daewongun was the main proponent of isolationism and the instrument of the persecution of native and foreign Catholics, a policy that led directly to the French invasion
and the United States expedition to Korea in 1871. The early years of the Daewongun's rule also witnessed a large effort to restore the largely dilapidated Gyeongbok Palace, the seat of royal authority. During the Daewongun's reign, factional politics
, the Seowon
(learned academies that often doubled as epicenters of factional power), and the power wielded by the Andong Kim clan completely disappeared.
In 1873, Gojong announced his direct royal rule. With the retirement of Heungseon Daewongun, Gojong's consort, Queen Min (later Empress Myeongseong
), gained complete control over her court, placing her family members in high court positions.
, culminating in the First Sino-Japanese War
(1894–1895). Much of this war was fought on the Korean peninsula. Japan, after the Meiji Restoration
, acquired Western military technology, had forced Joseon to sign the Treaty of Ganghwa
in 1876. Japan encroached upon Korean territory in search of fish, iron ore, and natural resources. It also established a strong economic presence in the peninsula, heralding the beginning of Japanese imperial expansion in East Asia.
The French campaign against Korea of 1866
, United States expedition to Korea in 1871 and the Incident of Japanese gunboat Unyo
put pressure on many of Joseon's officer including King Gojong.
The Treaty of Ganghwa
became the first unequal treaty signed between Korea and foreign country; it gave extraterritorial rights to Japanese citizens in Korea, forced the Korean government to open three ports to Japanese and foreign trade, Busan
, Incheon
and Wonsan
. With the signing of its first unequal treaty, Korea became another easy hunt for many imperialistic powers; and later the treaty led Korea to be annexed by Japan
.
s lost much of their pay. The old army revolted after receiving mediocre wages. Heungseon Daewongun was restored to power, but the Qing general, Yuan Shikai
soon had the Daewongun abducted by Chinese troops and taken to China, thus foiling his return to power. Four years later the Daewongun returned to Korea.
On 4 December 1884, 5 revolutionaries led a small anti-old minister army to Empress Myeongseong's brother's house and initiated a coup d'etat
. It failed in 3 days. Some Coup leaders, including Kim Okgyun
, fled to Japan, and others were executed.
In 1894, another major revolt, the Donghak Peasant Revolution
took hold as an anti-government, anti-yangban
and anti-foreign campaign. To suppress the rebellion, the Joseon government requested military aid from Japan, thus deepening Japanese claims to Korea as a protectorate. In the end, revolution failed, but many grievances of the peasants would later be addressed through the Gabo Reform
.
(referred to as "Queen Min" by the Japanese) was assassinated by Japanese agents. The Japanese minister to Korea, Miura Goro orchestrated the plot against her. A group of Japanese agents entered the Imperial palace
in Seoul, which was under Japanese guard, and Empress Myeongseong was killed in the palace. The empress had attempted to counter Japanese interference in Korea and was considering turning to Russia or China for support.
(1894–1895), gaining much more influence on the Korean government. Also the Gabo reforms and Assassination of Empress Myeongseong also stirred controversy in Korea along with anti-Japanese sentiments.
Some Confucian scholars, as well as farmers, formed over 60 successive righteous armies
to fight for Korean freedom. These armies were preceded by the Donghak movement and succeeded by various Korean independence movements.
palace to the Russia
n legation in Seoul
, from which they governed for about one year, an event known as Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation.
). There, he proclaimed the founding of the Empire of Korea, officially redesignated the national title as such, and declared the new era name Gwangmu (Hangul
: 광무, Hanja
: 光武) (meaning shining warrior), effectively severing Korea's historic ties to the Qing Chinese tradition which Korea had adhered to since the fall of the Ming Dynasty
, and turning King Gojong into the Gwangmu Emperor, the first imperial head of state and hereditary sovereign of the Empire of Korea.
This marked the complete end of the old world order and traditional Chinese tributary system in the Far East, where the status of empire meant independence from Qing dynasty
China as with all of its predecessors, and also, at least nominally, implemented the "full and complete" independence of Korea as recognized in 1895.
in 1897 to justify its independence from tributary status of China. He tried to promote the ultimately unsuccessful Gwangmu Reform.
The Japanese military consistently attained victory in the Russo-Japanese War
(1904–1905). Following the Protectorate Treaty
of 1905 between Korea and Japan, which stripped Korea of its rights as an independent nation, he sent representatives to the Hague Peace Convention of 1907 in order to try to re-assert his sovereignty over Korea. Although the Korean representatives were blocked by the Japanese delegates, they did not give up, and later held interviews with newspapers.
One representative warned forebodingly of Japanese ambitions in Asia:
"The United States does not realize what Japan's policy in the Far East is and what it portends for the American people. The Japanese adopted a policy that in the end will give her complete control over commerce and industry in the Far East. Japan is bitter against the United States and against Great Britain. If the United States does not watch Japan closely she will force the Americans and the English out of the Far East."
As a result, Gojong was forced to abdicate by the Japanese and Gojong's son, Sunjong
succeed to the throne.
confinement by the Japanese. On 22 August 1910, the Empire of Korea was annexed by Japan with the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty
.
He died suddenly on 21 January 1919 at Deoksugung Palace. There is much speculation that he was killed by poison administered by Japanese officials, an idea that gained wide circulation and acceptance at the time of his death. His death and subsequent funeral proved a catalyst for the March First Movement for Korean independence from Japanese rule. He is buried with his wife at the imperial tomb of Hongneung (홍릉, 洪陵) in the city of Namyangju
.
|-
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
and the first emperor of the Korean Empire
Korean Empire
The Greater Korean Empire was an empire of Korea that succeeded the Joseon Dynasty.In October 1897, Emperor Gojong proclaimed the new entity at Gyeongungung Palace and oversaw the partially successful modernization of the military, economy, land system, education system, and various industries...
.
King of the Joseon
Gojong took the throne in 1863 when still a child. As a minor, his father, the Regent Heungseon Daewongun (or more commonly, the Daewongun), ruled for him until Gojong reached adulthood.During the mid 1860s the Heungseon Daewongun was the main proponent of isolationism and the instrument of the persecution of native and foreign Catholics, a policy that led directly to the French invasion
French Campaign against Korea, 1866
The French campaign against Korea of 1866 is also known as Byeong-in yangyo . It refers to the French invasion of Ganghwa Island in Korea in retaliation for the earlier execution by Korea's Joseon Dynasty of French Catholic priests proselytizing in that country...
and the United States expedition to Korea in 1871. The early years of the Daewongun's rule also witnessed a large effort to restore the largely dilapidated Gyeongbok Palace, the seat of royal authority. During the Daewongun's reign, factional politics
Political factions in Joseon Dynasty
The Bungdang refers to political factionalism that was characteristic of Middle and Late Joseon Dynasty. Throughout the dynasty, various regional and ideological factions struggled for dominance in the political system...
, the Seowon
Seowon
Seowon were the most common educational institution of Korea during the mid- to late Joseon Dynasty. They were private institutions, and combined the functions of a Confucian shrine and a preparatory school. In educational terms, the seowon were primarily occupied with preparing students for the...
(learned academies that often doubled as epicenters of factional power), and the power wielded by the Andong Kim clan completely disappeared.
In 1873, Gojong announced his direct royal rule. With the retirement of Heungseon Daewongun, Gojong's consort, Queen Min (later Empress Myeongseong
Empress Myeongseong
Empress Myeongseong , also known as Queen Min, was the first official wife of King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea...
), gained complete control over her court, placing her family members in high court positions.
External Pressures and Unequal Treaties
In the 19th century tensions mounted between Qing China and JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, culminating in the First Sino-Japanese War
First Sino-Japanese War
The First Sino-Japanese War was fought between Qing Dynasty China and Meiji Japan, primarily over control of Korea...
(1894–1895). Much of this war was fought on the Korean peninsula. Japan, after the Meiji Restoration
Meiji Restoration
The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
, acquired Western military technology, had forced Joseon to sign the Treaty of Ganghwa
Treaty of Ganghwa
The Japan-Korea Treaty of Amity, also known as the Treaty of Ganghwa or Treaty of Kanghwa, was made between representatives of the Empire of Japan and the Kingdom of Joseon in 1876...
in 1876. Japan encroached upon Korean territory in search of fish, iron ore, and natural resources. It also established a strong economic presence in the peninsula, heralding the beginning of Japanese imperial expansion in East Asia.
The French campaign against Korea of 1866
French Campaign against Korea, 1866
The French campaign against Korea of 1866 is also known as Byeong-in yangyo . It refers to the French invasion of Ganghwa Island in Korea in retaliation for the earlier execution by Korea's Joseon Dynasty of French Catholic priests proselytizing in that country...
, United States expedition to Korea in 1871 and the Incident of Japanese gunboat Unyo
Japanese gunboat Unyo
was an iron-ribbed, wooden-hulled sail-and-steam gunboat with of the early Meiji period, serving with the fledgling Imperial Japanese Navy. She was a two-masted brig with an auxiliary coal-fired steam engine driving a single screw.-Background:...
put pressure on many of Joseon's officer including King Gojong.
The Treaty of Ganghwa
Treaty of Ganghwa
The Japan-Korea Treaty of Amity, also known as the Treaty of Ganghwa or Treaty of Kanghwa, was made between representatives of the Empire of Japan and the Kingdom of Joseon in 1876...
became the first unequal treaty signed between Korea and foreign country; it gave extraterritorial rights to Japanese citizens in Korea, forced the Korean government to open three ports to Japanese and foreign trade, Busan
Busan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
, Incheon
Incheon
The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...
and Wonsan
Wonsan
Wŏnsan is a port city and naval base in southeastern North Korea. It is the capital of Kangwŏn Province. The population of the city is estimated to have been 331,000 in 2000. Notable people from Wŏnsan include Kim Ki Nam, diplomat and Secretary of the Workers' Party.- History :The original name of...
. With the signing of its first unequal treaty, Korea became another easy hunt for many imperialistic powers; and later the treaty led Korea to be annexed by Japan
Korea under Japanese rule
Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
.
Imo Rebellion and Gapsin Coup
King Gojong began to rely on newer, rifle-using armies. They were paid well and the old army who used spears and old matchlockMatchlock
The matchlock was the first mechanism, or "lock" invented to facilitate the firing of a hand-held firearm. This design removed the need to lower by hand a lit match into the weapon's flash pan and made it possible to have both hands free to keep a firm grip on the weapon at the moment of firing,...
s lost much of their pay. The old army revolted after receiving mediocre wages. Heungseon Daewongun was restored to power, but the Qing general, Yuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai was an important Chinese general and politician famous for his influence during the late Qing Dynasty, his role in the events leading up to the abdication of the last Qing Emperor of China, his autocratic rule as the second President of the Republic of China , and his short-lived...
soon had the Daewongun abducted by Chinese troops and taken to China, thus foiling his return to power. Four years later the Daewongun returned to Korea.
On 4 December 1884, 5 revolutionaries led a small anti-old minister army to Empress Myeongseong's brother's house and initiated a coup d'etat
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
. It failed in 3 days. Some Coup leaders, including Kim Okgyun
Kim Okgyun
Kim Ok-gyun [김옥균; 金玉均] was a reformist activist during the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He served under the national civil service under King Gojong, and actively participated to advance Western ideas and sciences in Korea...
, fled to Japan, and others were executed.
Peasant Revolts
Widespread poverty presented significant challenges to the 19th century Joseon Dynasty. One indication of this poverty was the average life expectancy of Koreans around the close of the Joseon period: 24 years for males and 26 for females. A number of factors, including famine, poverty, high taxes and corruption among the ruling class led to several notable peasant revolts in the 19th century. King Gojong's predecessors had suppressed an 1811-1812 revolt led by Hong Kyong-nae in the Pyeongan Province.In 1894, another major revolt, the Donghak Peasant Revolution
Donghak Peasant Revolution
The Donghak Peasant Revolution, also known as the Donghak Peasant Movement, was an anti-government, anti-feudal and anti-foreign uprising in 1894 in the southern Korea which was the catalyst for the First Sino-Japanese War....
took hold as an anti-government, anti-yangban
Yangban
The yangban were part of the traditional ruling class or nobles of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The yangban were either landed or unlanded aristocracy who comprised the Korean Confucian idea of a "scholarly official." In reality, they were basically administrators and bureaucrats who...
and anti-foreign campaign. To suppress the rebellion, the Joseon government requested military aid from Japan, thus deepening Japanese claims to Korea as a protectorate. In the end, revolution failed, but many grievances of the peasants would later be addressed through the Gabo Reform
Gabo Reform
The Gabo Reform describes a series of sweeping reforms introduced in Joseon Dynasty Korea beginning in 1894 and ending in 1896, during the reign of King Gojong, in response to the Donghak Peasant Revolution. Historians debate the degree of Japanese influence in this program, as well as its effect...
.
Assassination of Empress Myeongseong
In 1895, Empress MyeongseongEmpress Myeongseong
Empress Myeongseong , also known as Queen Min, was the first official wife of King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea...
(referred to as "Queen Min" by the Japanese) was assassinated by Japanese agents. The Japanese minister to Korea, Miura Goro orchestrated the plot against her. A group of Japanese agents entered the Imperial palace
Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, is a royal palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. First constructed in 1394 and reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty...
in Seoul, which was under Japanese guard, and Empress Myeongseong was killed in the palace. The empress had attempted to counter Japanese interference in Korea and was considering turning to Russia or China for support.
Anti-Japanese sentiments in Korea
Meanwhile, Japan won the Sino-Japanese WarFirst Sino-Japanese War
The First Sino-Japanese War was fought between Qing Dynasty China and Meiji Japan, primarily over control of Korea...
(1894–1895), gaining much more influence on the Korean government. Also the Gabo reforms and Assassination of Empress Myeongseong also stirred controversy in Korea along with anti-Japanese sentiments.
Some Confucian scholars, as well as farmers, formed over 60 successive righteous armies
Righteous army
Righteous armies, sometimes called irregular armies or militias, have appeared several times in Korean history, when the national armies were in need of assistance....
to fight for Korean freedom. These armies were preceded by the Donghak movement and succeeded by various Korean independence movements.
Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation
On 11 February 1896, King Gojong and his crown prince fled from the GyeongbokgungGyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, is a royal palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. First constructed in 1394 and reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty...
palace to the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n legation in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, from which they governed for about one year, an event known as Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation.
Proclamation of Empire
In 1897, King Gojong, yielding to rising pressure from both overseas and the demands of the Independence Association-led public opinion, returned to Gyeongungung (modern-day DeoksugungDeoksugung
Deoksugung, also known as Gyeongun-gung, Deoksugung Palace, or Deoksu Palace, is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by various Korean royalties until the colonial period around the turn of the 20th century. The buildings are of varying construction, including some of natural...
). There, he proclaimed the founding of the Empire of Korea, officially redesignated the national title as such, and declared the new era name Gwangmu (Hangul
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 광무, Hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 光武) (meaning shining warrior), effectively severing Korea's historic ties to the Qing Chinese tradition which Korea had adhered to since the fall of the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, and turning King Gojong into the Gwangmu Emperor, the first imperial head of state and hereditary sovereign of the Empire of Korea.
This marked the complete end of the old world order and traditional Chinese tributary system in the Far East, where the status of empire meant independence from Qing dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
China as with all of its predecessors, and also, at least nominally, implemented the "full and complete" independence of Korea as recognized in 1895.
Emperor of the Korean Empire
Gojong proclaimed the Korean EmpireKorean Empire
The Greater Korean Empire was an empire of Korea that succeeded the Joseon Dynasty.In October 1897, Emperor Gojong proclaimed the new entity at Gyeongungung Palace and oversaw the partially successful modernization of the military, economy, land system, education system, and various industries...
in 1897 to justify its independence from tributary status of China. He tried to promote the ultimately unsuccessful Gwangmu Reform.
The Japanese military consistently attained victory in the Russo-Japanese War
Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War was "the first great war of the 20th century." It grew out of rival imperial ambitions of the Russian Empire and Japanese Empire over Manchuria and Korea...
(1904–1905). Following the Protectorate Treaty
Eulsa Treaty
The Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905, also known as the Eulsa Treaty or Japan–Korea Protectorate Treaty, was made between the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire in 1905. Negotiations were concluded on November 17, 1905....
of 1905 between Korea and Japan, which stripped Korea of its rights as an independent nation, he sent representatives to the Hague Peace Convention of 1907 in order to try to re-assert his sovereignty over Korea. Although the Korean representatives were blocked by the Japanese delegates, they did not give up, and later held interviews with newspapers.
One representative warned forebodingly of Japanese ambitions in Asia:
"The United States does not realize what Japan's policy in the Far East is and what it portends for the American people. The Japanese adopted a policy that in the end will give her complete control over commerce and industry in the Far East. Japan is bitter against the United States and against Great Britain. If the United States does not watch Japan closely she will force the Americans and the English out of the Far East."
As a result, Gojong was forced to abdicate by the Japanese and Gojong's son, Sunjong
Sunjong of Korea
Sunjong, the Yunghui Emperor was the last emperor of the Joseon Dynasty and Korean Empire in Korea, ruling from 1907 until 1910.He was the fourth son of Emperor Gwangmu. Crown Prince Yi Cheok was made Emperor Yung-hui when the Japanese forced the abdication of Emperor Gwangmu and his reign ended...
succeed to the throne.
After abdication
After abdicating, Emperor Gojong was put in the Deoksu PalaceDeoksugung
Deoksugung, also known as Gyeongun-gung, Deoksugung Palace, or Deoksu Palace, is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by various Korean royalties until the colonial period around the turn of the 20th century. The buildings are of varying construction, including some of natural...
confinement by the Japanese. On 22 August 1910, the Empire of Korea was annexed by Japan with the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty
Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty
The Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910, also known as the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty, was made by representatives of the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire in 1910. Negotiations were concluded on August 20, 1910...
.
He died suddenly on 21 January 1919 at Deoksugung Palace. There is much speculation that he was killed by poison administered by Japanese officials, an idea that gained wide circulation and acceptance at the time of his death. His death and subsequent funeral proved a catalyst for the March First Movement for Korean independence from Japanese rule. He is buried with his wife at the imperial tomb of Hongneung (홍릉, 洪陵) in the city of Namyangju
Namyangju
Namyangju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. To the east is Gapyeong County, to the west is Guri City, and to the north is Pocheon City.-History of Namyangju:...
.
Family
- Father: Heungseon, Prince of the Great Court (흥선대원군)
- Mother: Yeoheung, Princess Consort to the Prince of the Great Court, of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥부대부인 민씨)
- Consorts:
- Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min clanEmpress MyeongseongEmpress Myeongseong , also known as Queen Min, was the first official wife of King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea...
(명성황후 민씨, 19 October 1851 – 8 October 1895) - Honorable Princess Consort of the Eom clan (귀비 엄씨, 5 January 1854 – 20 July 1911)
- Lee Gwi-in of the Yeongbo Hall (영보당귀인 이씨, 1847–1928)
- Jang Gwi-in (귀인 장씨)
- Lee Gwi-in of the Gwanghwa Hall (광화당귀인 이씨, 1887–1970)
- Jeong Gwi-in of the Bohyeon Hall (보현당귀인 정씨)
- Yang Gwi-in of the Boknyeong Hall (복녕당귀인 양씨, 1882–1929)
- Lee Gwi-in of the Naean Hall (내안당귀인 이씨)
- Lady Kim of the Samchuk Hall (삼축당상궁 김씨, 1890–1972) - No Issue
- Lady Kim of the Jeonghwa Hall (정화당상궁 김씨, 1871-?) - No Issue
- Lady Yeom (상궁 염씨)
- Lady Seo (상궁 서씨) - No Issue
- Lady Kim (상궁 김씨) - No Issue
- Issue:
- Unnamed Prince (1871), 1st Son of Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min clan.
- Crown Prince of the Empire, (황태자 25 March 1874–24 April 1926), 2nd Son of Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min clan. - Gojong's 3rd son.
- Unnamed Prince (1875), 3rd Son of Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min clan.
- Unnamed Prince (1878), 4th Son of Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min clan.
- Crown Prince EuiminCrown Prince EuiminPrince Imperial Yeong, the Crown Prince Uimin , also known as Yi Un, Yi Eun, Lee Eun, and Un Yi , was the 28th Head of Korean Imperial House, and the last crown prince of Korea....
(의민태자, 20 October 1897 – 1 May 1970), Only Son of Honorable Princess Consort of the Eom clan. - Gojong's seventh son. He married Princess Masako Nashimotonomiya of Japan, a daughter of Prince Morimasa Nashimotonomiya of Japan. - Prince Wanhwa (완화군, 16 April 1868 – 12 January 1880), Only Son of Lee Gwi-in of the Yeongbo Hall. - Gojong's first son.
- Prince Euihwa (의화군, 30 March 1877-August 1955), Only Son of Jang Gwi-in. - Gojong's 5th son. He married Kim Su-deok (who became Princess Deogin), daughter of Baron Kim Sa-jun.
- Yi Yook, Prince of the Empire (이육, 1914-1915), Only Son of Lee Gwi-in of the Gwanghwa Hall.
- Yi Woo, Prince of the Empire (이우, 1915–1916), Only Son of Jeong Gwi-in of the Bohyeon Hall.
- Unnamed Princess (1873), Only Daughter of Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min clan.
- Unnamed Princess, Only Daughter of Lee Gwi-in of the Yeongbo Hall.
- Princess DeokhyeDeokhye, Princess of KoreaPrincess Deokhye of Korea was the last Princess of Korea.She was born on 25 May 1912 at Changdeok Palace in Seoul. She was the youngest daughter of Emperor Gwangmu and his concubine, Lady Bongnyeong. In 1917, her name was formally entered into the Imperial Family's registry...
(덕혜옹주, 25 May 1912 – 11 April 1989), Only Daughter of Yang Gwi-in of the Boknyeong Hall. - Gojong's 4th daughter. She married Count Takeyuki Sō, a Japanese nobleman of TsushimaTsushima IslandTsushima Island is an island of the Japanese Archipelago situated in the middle of the Tsushima Strait at 34°25'N and 129°20'E. The main island of Tsushima was once a single island, but the island was divided into two in 1671 by the Ōfunakosiseto canal and into three in 1900 by the Manzekiseto canal...
. - Unnamed Princess, Only Daughter of Lee Gwi-in of the Naean Hall.
- Yi Mun-yong, Princess of the Empire (이문용, 1900–1987), Only Daughter of Lady Yeom.
Titles
- The Lord Yi Myeong-bok (Jaehwang) (李命福 이명복 Yi Myeong-bok), the second son of Prince HeungseonDaewon-gunHeungseon Daewongun or The Daewongun , or formally Heungseon Heonui Daewonwang and also known to period western diplomats as Prince Gung, was the title of Yi Ha-eung, regent of Joseon during the minority of King Gojong in the 1860s and until his death a key political figure of late Joseon...
, a great-great-grandson of Yeongjo (1852–1863) - His Majesty King Gojong of Korea (1863–1897)
- His Imperial Majesty Emperor Gwangmu of Korea (大韓帝國光武大皇帝陛下 대한제국광무대황제폐하 Daehan Jeguk Gwangmu Daehwangje Pyeha) (1897–1907)
- His Imperial Majesty The Emperor Emeritus of Korea (大韓帝國太皇帝陛下 대한제국태황제폐하 Daehan Jeguk Taehwangje Pyeha) (1907–1910), after his abdication by force of the Japanese government.
- His Majesty The King Emeritus Yi of Korea (德壽宮李太王殿下 덕수궁이태왕전하 Deoksugung Yi Taewang Jeonha) (1910–1919), a demoted title given by the Japanese government on the annexation of Korea, ignored in Korea
Honours
- Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and LazarusOrder of Saints Maurice and LazarusThe Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus is an order of chivalry awarded by the House of Savoy, the heads of which were formerly Kings of Italy...
of ItalyKingdom of Italy (1861–1946)The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
- 1895 - Grand Cross of the Legion d'HonneurLégion d'honneurThe Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
of FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
- 1895 - Collar of the Order of the ChrysanthemumOrder of the Chrysanthemumis Japan's highest order. The Grand Cordon of the Order was established in 1876 by Emperor Meiji of Japan; the collar of the Order was added on January 4, 1888. Although technically the order has only one class, it can either be awarded with collar , or with grand cordon...
- 1897 - Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE) - 1900
- Collar of the Imperial Order of the Double DragonOrder of the Double DragonThe Imperial Order of the Double Dragon was an order awarded in the period of the Qing Dynasty.The Order was founded by the Guangxu Emperor on 7 February 1882 as an award for outstanding services to the Throne...
, 1st Class, 1st Grade of the Chinese Empire - 1903 - Knight of the Order of St. Stanislaus of the Russian EmpireRussian EmpireThe Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
- 1903
During the Joseon
- Gaeguk (開國, 개국 : used for the reign of King Gojong 1894 - 1895)
- Geonyang (建陽, 건양 : used for the reign of King Gojong 1896 - 1897)
During the Korean Empire
- Gwangmu (광무; 光武; "Bright Valour") - used for the reign of Emperor Gojong, 1897–1907
His full posthumous name
- His Imperial Majesty Emperor Gojong Tongcheon Yung-un Jogeuk Donyun Jeongseong Gwang-ui Myeonggong Daedeok Yojun Sunhwi Umo Tanggyeong Eungmyeong Ripgi Jihwa Sinryeol Oehun Hong-eop Gyegi Seonryeok Geonhaeng Gonjeong Yeong-ui Honghyu Sugang Munheon Mujang Inik Jeonghyo of Korea
- 대한제국고종통천융운조극돈윤정성광의명공대덕요준순휘우모탕경응명립기지화신렬외훈홍업계기선력건행곤정영의홍휴수강문헌무장인익정효황제폐하
- 大韓帝國高宗統天隆運肇極敦倫正聖光義明功大德堯峻舜徽禹謨湯敬應命立紀至化神烈巍勳洪業啓基宣曆乾行坤定英毅弘休壽康文憲武章仁翼貞孝皇帝陛下
- Daehan Jeguk Gojong Tongcheon Yung-un Jogeuk Donyun Jeongseong Gwang-ui Myeonggong Daedeok Yojun Sunhwi Umo Tanggyeong Eungmyeong Ripgi Jihwa Sinryeol Oehun Hong-eop Gyegi Seonryeok Geonhaeng Gonjeong Yeong-ui Honghyu Sugang Munheon Mujang Inik Jeonghyo Hwangje Pyeha
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- History of KoreaHistory of KoreaThe Korean Peninsula was inhabited from the Lower Paleolithic about 400,000-500,000 years ago. Archeological evidence indicates that the presence of modern humans in northeast Asia dates to 39,000 years ago. The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 8000 BC, and the Neolithic period began...
- Rulers of Korea
- Empress MyeongseongEmpress MyeongseongEmpress Myeongseong , also known as Queen Min, was the first official wife of King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea...
- Heungseon Daewongun
- Yi Jun-yong
- Hague Secret Emissary AffairHague Secret Emissary AffairHague Secret Emissary Affair resulted from Korean Emperor Gojong sending confidential emissaries to the Second Peace Conference at The Hague, the Netherlands, in 1907.-Background:...
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