Asian Royalty: Korea


Figure 1.-Here we see the Emperor Joseon, actually a king, at his palace in Seoul during 1903. We believe it is the Gyeongbokgung/Gyeongbok Palace. He is pictured with his son, Sunjong, and grandchildren. Japan had not yet annexed Korea, but was already in control. Notice the flags t the left, the Japanese and Korean flags.

The Goryeo Dynasty ruled Korea for 400 years (11-14th centuries). They were weakened by both internal power struggles and nominal occupation by the declining Mongol Empire (late-14th century). A Goryeo army general, Yi Seong-gye, was ordered to invade Manchuria (1388). Instead he tirned his army on Kaesong, the Goryeo capital. He defeated the forces of rival General Choe Yeong. This enabed him to depose the last Goryeo ruler, King U. General Yi didn't immediately seized the throne, he ruled through Goryeo puppets (1389-92). He soon decided to seize power in his name. He ordered King U and his 8-year-old son King Chang executed. General Yi then founded his owm dynasty and ruled as King Taejo, meaning 'highest ancestor'. The capital was relocated to what is now modern Seoul. The Yi Dynasty was also known as the Yi clan of Jeonju. The Yi Dynasty ruled Korea for the next five centuries. The Korean kingdom was nominally within the Chinese sphere of influence. The degree of Chinese influence varied over time. Japan, after the Meiji Restoration, had moved acquire modern Western military technology and begin to industrialize. The Japanese with their growing power forced King Joseon to sign the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876. It effectively shifted Korea from the Chinese to the Japanese sphere of influence. This enabled Japan to begin to exploit Korean resources (fish, iron ore, and other natural resources) and established a substantial economic presence in Korea. Korea was a majpr factor in the outbreak of the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-85) which fundamentally changed the balance of power in East Asia. Much of the War was fought in Korea. The Chinese defeat in the war led to the Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895) which officially ended Chinese influence in Korea and effectively granted Japan direct control over Korean politics. Not only China, but Russia had an iterest in Mabchuria and Korea. The Japanese after their victory in the the Russo-Japanese War (1894-95) formaly seized Korea (1909). The Japanese forced the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910 on the Koreans. This meant the Japanese annexation of Korea. Some members of the Yi royal family were 'mediatised' aslower members of the Japanese Imperial family and the Japanese peerage. Their status as royalty ended with Japan's defeat in World War II and the end of Japanese colonial rule in Korea. The Republic of Korea in its constitution after the War did not recognize the imperial Yi family.

Goryeo Dynasty

The Goryeo Dynasty ruled Korea for 400 years (11-14th centuries). They were weakened by both internal power struggles and nominal occupation by the declining Mongol Empire (late-14th century). A Goryeo army general, Yi Seong-gye, was ordered to invade Manchuria (1388). Instead he tirned his army on Kaesong, the Goryeo capital. He defeated the forces of rival General Choe Yeong. This enabed him to depose the last Goryeo ruler, King U. General Yi didn't immediately seized the throne, he ruled through Goryeo puppets (1389-92). He soon decided to seize power in his name. He ordered King U and his 8-year-old son King Chang executed.

Yi/Joseon Dynasty

General Yi then founded his owm dynasty and ruled as King Taejo, meaning 'highest ancestor'. The capital was relocated to what is now modern Seoul. The Yi Dynasty was also known as the Yi clan of Jeonju. The Yi Dynasty ruled Korea for the next five centuries. The Korean kingdom was nominally within the Chinese sphere of influence. The degree of Chinese influence varied over time. Japan, after the Meiji Restoration, had moved acquire modern Western military technology and begin to industrialize. The Japanese with their growing power forced King Gojong to sign the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876. It effectively shifted Korea from the Chinese to the Japanese sphere of influence. This enabled Japan to begin to exploit Korean resources (fish, iron ore, and other natural resources) and established a substantial economic presence in Korea. Korea was a majpr factor in the outbreak of the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-85) which fundamentally changed the balance of power in East Asia. Much of the War was fought in Korea. The Chinese defeat in the war led to the Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895) which officially ended Chinese influence in Korea and effectively granted Japan direct control over Korean politics. Not only China, but Russia had an iterest in Mabchuria and Korea. The Japanese after their victory in the the Russo-Japanese War (1894-95) formaly seized Korea (1909). The Japanese forced the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910 on the Koreans. This meant the Japanese annexation of Korea. Some members of the Yi royal family were 'mediatised' aslower members of the Japanese Imperial family and the Japanese peerage. Their status as royalty ended with Japan's defeat in World War II and the end of Japanese colonial rule in Korea. The Republic of Korea in its constitution after the War did not recognize the imperial Yi family.

King Gojong (1863-1907)

King Gojong (고종) was born (1852). His father was Yi Ha-Eung, Grand Internal Prince Heungseon (1820–98) (이하응 흥선대원군). His mother was Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok of the Yeoheung Min clan (1818–98) (순목대원비 민씨) He was 26th king of the Joseon dynasty. He rose to the throne while still a child (1863). His father, the Heungseon Daewongun (Daewongun) ruled as regent. He would be one of Korea's longest serving monarchs. His father was the main proponent of isolationism. He targeted the persecution of Christians which aided by missionries were becoming an important religuous group. This resulted in a French invasion and the United States expedition to Korea (1871). The Daewongun's rule as regent also saw the restoration of the dilapidated Gyeongbok Palace, the seat of Korean royal authority. The Daewongun also significatly reduced Korean factional politics, especially the infuece of the Seowon (academies dabling in politics) and the power of the Andong Kim clan. Gojong announced his assumption of direct royal rule (1873). The Daewongun's retirement resulted in Gojong's wife, Queen Min (Myeongseong) gained control over the royal court and began placing her family in senior positions. Korea for much of its history was influenced and at time controoled by China. After the Meiji Restoration in Japan, Korea became caught up in the deceloping conflict betwee a declining China and a rising Japan. Japan, after the Meiji Restoration, had moved acquire modern Western military technology and begin to industrialize. The Japanese with their growing power forced King Gojong to sign the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876. It effectively shifted Korea from the Chinese to the Japanese sphere of influence. This enabled Japan to begin to exploit Korean resources (fish, iron ore, and other natural resources) and established a substantial economic presence in Korea. Korea was a majpr factor in the outbreak of the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-85) which fundamentally changed the balance of power in East Asia. Much of the War was fought in Korea. The Chinese defeat in the war led to the Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895) which officially ended Chinese influence in Korea and effectively granted Japan direct control over Korean politics. Not only China, but Russia had an iterest in Mabchuria and Korea. The Japanese after their victory in the the Russo-Japanese War (1894-95) formaly seized Korea (1909). Gojong was forced to abdicate by the Japanese.

King Sungjong (1907-10)

After forcing Gojong to abdicate, the Japanese placed Gojong's son Sunjong on the throne. The Japanese confined Gojong to the Deoksu Palace by the Japanese. After annexation treaty, Emperor Sunjong and his wife, Empress Sunjeong, lived quitely basically imprisoned in Changdeokgung Palace at Seoul. Sunjong was poweless. Japanese politicians and Koreans serving the Jpanese governed the country. The Japanese demoted Sunjong from emperor to king. The Japanese allowed him the title of King Yi of Changdeok Palace (창덕궁 이왕). They allowed the title to be inherited. Sunjong died in Changdeokgung (1926). He is buried with his two wives at the imperial tomb of Yureung (유릉) in the city of Namyangju. His state funeral sparked the June 10th Movement protesting Japanese colonial rule.

Annexation (1910)

The Japanese forced the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty on the Koreans (1910). This meant the Japanese annexation of Korea. Some members of the Yi royal family were 'mediatised' as lower members of the Japanese Imperial family and the Japanese peerage. Gojong was photographed wearing Court uniform and dress in the Empire of Japan and Japanese honours after the annexation. Gojong died suddenly at Deoksugung Palace at the age of 67 years (1919). The Japanese may have poisoned him. It was widely believed by many Korens. His death and subsequent funeral helped spark the March First Movement for Korean independence. He was buried with his wife at the imperial tomb of Hongneung (홍릉, 洪陵) in the city of Namyangju.

Prince Yi Un

Yi Un was born at Deoksu Palace in Seoul (1897). He was the seventh son of Emperor/King Gojong. His mother was the Honorable Princess Consort Eom Seon-yeong, a palace attendant, who only posthumously was awarded the title of Princess Sunheon. He was thus the younger half-brother of Emperor Sunjong and Prince Imperial Ui. He was awarded the title Prince Imperial Yeong (1900). He was promoted to crown prince of Korea (1907). While younger than Prince Ui. Prince Ui's support base at court had weakened with the death of his own mother, Lady Jang. Crown Prince Yi Un was taken to Japan and was enrolled in the Gakushūin Peers' School (1907). He was thus educated in the Japanese tradition and came to see himself as more Japanese than Korean. When he graduated from the Peer's School, he entered the Imperial Japanese Army Academy. Graduating from the academy (1917) he received a commission as a second lieutenant. Upon Sunjong death, Yi Un became King Eun of Korea. He reached the rank of lieutenant general and served in the army and airforce during World War II.

Royal Status

The Yi/Joseon royal/aristocrtic status ended with Japan's defeat in World War II and the end of Japanese colonial rule in Korea. The Republic of Korea in its constitution after the War did not recognize the imperial Yi family.







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Created: 10:38 AM 10/27/2017
Last updated: 10:38 AM 10/27/2017