Difference between revisions of "Emperor Gojong of Korea" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Gojong''', the '''Gwangmu Emperor''' (July 25 1852–January 21 1919, reigned 1863-1907) was the twenty-sixth and final king of the five-century long [[Korea]]n [[Joseon Dynasty]], reigning during the years leading up to the end of the monarchy and Korea's entry into the modern world.  During the later part of his reign, Korea was declared an empire; thus he became the first emperor of the [[Korean Empire]]. With the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910, the empire was dissolved, and never reestablished.
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'''Gojong''', the '''Gwangmu Emperor''' (July 25 1852–January 21 1919, reigned 1863-1907) serving as the twenty-sixth and final king of the five-century long [[Korea]]n [[Joseon Dynasty]]. He reigned during the years leading up to the end of the monarchy and Korea's entry into the modern world.  During the later part of his reign, he declared Korea an empire thus becaming the first emperor of the [[Korean Empire]]. With the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910, the empire dissolved, and never reestablished.
  
 
== Rise to the throne ==
 
== Rise to the throne ==
 
   
 
   
Gojong took the throne in 1863 when King Cheoljong died without an heir. At the time Gojong was only eleven years old, and his succession to the throne was orchestrated by the mother of King Heonjong, Cheoljong's predecessor, the Dowager Queen Sinjeong, counter to the wishes of Cheoljong's widow, Queen Cheonin. Gojong was chosen over his older brother, Yi Jaemyun, because his youth would provide a longer period of regency. Together with the Dowager Sinjeong, his father, Regent Heungseon ([[Daewon-gun]]), ruled for him until Gojong reached adulthood.  It was during Daeweon-gun's regency that the main palace at [[Gyeongbokgung]] was restored as the seat of the royalty.
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Gojong took the throne in 1863 when King Cheoljong died without an heir. The Dowager Queen Sinjeong, mother of King Heonjong and Cheoljong's predecessor, orchestrated twelve year old Gojong's succession to the throne. Queen Cheonin opposed Gojong's ascension to the throne.
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The Dowager chose Gojong over his older brother, Yi Jaemyun, to enable her to rule as regent longer. Together with the Dowager Sinjeong, his father, Regent Heungseon ([[Daewon-gun]]), ruled for him until Gojong reached adulthood.  The Daewon-gun restored [[Gyeongbokgung]] as the seat of royalty during his regency.
  
 
== Reign ==
 
== Reign ==
  
[[Image:Coa korea empire.png|thumb|60px|left|The Plum flower became symbol of Royal Family after [[Gabo Reform]] in 1894]]
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<!-- copyrighted image removed[[Image:Coa korea empire.png|thumb|60px|left|The Plum flower became symbol of Royal Family after [[Gabo Reform]] in 1894]]—>
 
In the early years, Daewongun's job as Regent drew little criticism; however, his policies of isolationism became harder and harder to maintain. Japan and China had already entered into active relations with western powers, and those powers began to turn their eyes toward Korea, as evidenced by diplomatic and then military advances by France (1866) and the United States (1871).
 
In the early years, Daewongun's job as Regent drew little criticism; however, his policies of isolationism became harder and harder to maintain. Japan and China had already entered into active relations with western powers, and those powers began to turn their eyes toward Korea, as evidenced by diplomatic and then military advances by France (1866) and the United States (1871).
  
By the time King Gojong was 21, criticism of Daewongun's policies signaled that it was time for Gojong to take the throne and govern directly. Almost immediately it became apparent that although the throne was no longer being run by Daewongun, King Gojong was still not fully in control; his rule was  heavily influenced by his wife, Queen Min, later to receive the title Empress Myeongseong when the Korean Empire was established after her death.
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When King Gojong reached twenty-one years old, criticism of the [[Daewongun]]'s policies had increased.  Royal officials called for Gojong to take the throne and govern directly. Although [[Daewongun]] relinquished his regency, [[Empress Myeongseong|Queen Min]] emerged as the real power behind the throne. In March 1866, at thirteen years old, Gojong had married fourteen year old [[Empress Myeongseong|Min Ja-young]].
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The Daewongun had chosen her partly because she had been orphaned at a young age, thus her parents were not around to interfere with palace politics. Daewongun mistakenly thought that he could easily control [[Empress Myeongseong|Min Ja-young]]. Her political skill, intelligence and strength of character out-weighted her lack of family influence in the royal court.
  
Gojong had married Min Ja-Young in March 1866, when he was 13 and she was 14.  His parents had chosen her partly because she had been orphaned at a young age; thus her parents were not around to interfere with palace politics.  What they did not realize, however, is just how much political cluot the young queen would develop in her own right.
 
  
 
Gojong, with the influence of Queen Min, adopted more of an open-door policy than his father had maintained.  He signed a Treaty of Amity and Trade with the United States in 1882, believing it would help protect Korea against unwanted influence from its closest neighbors, Japan, China and Russia.  However, it was of no help in the struggle for influence that began on the Korean peninsula following the invasion of Korea by [[China|Chinese]], [[Japan]]ese, and [[Russia]]n forces during the [[First Sino-Japanese War|Sino-Japanese War]] (1894&ndash;95).  At first, Russia seemed to be coming out ahead; the Russian consul in [[Seoul]], [[Karl Ivanovich Weber]], developed a personal friendship with Gojong, and after [[Empress Myeongseong|Queen Min]] was assassinated in 1895, apparently by the Japanese, Weber personally offered the King refuge in the Russian Legation.<ref name="Volkov">{{cite journal|issue=23|last=Volkov|first=M.|title=Русские в Корее- имена и судьбы (Russians in Korea - Names and Fates)|date=May 2004|url=http://www.korusforum.org/PHP/STV.php?stid=34|journal=Korusforum Journal, Center for Contemporary Korean Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences}}</ref>  
 
Gojong, with the influence of Queen Min, adopted more of an open-door policy than his father had maintained.  He signed a Treaty of Amity and Trade with the United States in 1882, believing it would help protect Korea against unwanted influence from its closest neighbors, Japan, China and Russia.  However, it was of no help in the struggle for influence that began on the Korean peninsula following the invasion of Korea by [[China|Chinese]], [[Japan]]ese, and [[Russia]]n forces during the [[First Sino-Japanese War|Sino-Japanese War]] (1894&ndash;95).  At first, Russia seemed to be coming out ahead; the Russian consul in [[Seoul]], [[Karl Ivanovich Weber]], developed a personal friendship with Gojong, and after [[Empress Myeongseong|Queen Min]] was assassinated in 1895, apparently by the Japanese, Weber personally offered the King refuge in the Russian Legation.<ref name="Volkov">{{cite journal|issue=23|last=Volkov|first=M.|title=Русские в Корее- имена и судьбы (Russians in Korea - Names and Fates)|date=May 2004|url=http://www.korusforum.org/PHP/STV.php?stid=34|journal=Korusforum Journal, Center for Contemporary Korean Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences}}</ref>  

Revision as of 19:14, 8 July 2007

Emperor Gojong of Korea
Emperor3.jpg
Korean name
Hangul 고종 광무제 (short 고종)
Hanja 高宗光武帝 (short 高宗)
Revised Romanization Gojong Gwangmuje (short Gojong)
McCune-Reischauer Kojong Kwangmuje(short Kojong)


Gojong, the Gwangmu Emperor (July 25 1852–January 21 1919, reigned 1863-1907) serving as the twenty-sixth and final king of the five-century long Korean Joseon Dynasty. He reigned during the years leading up to the end of the monarchy and Korea's entry into the modern world. During the later part of his reign, he declared Korea an empire thus becaming the first emperor of the Korean Empire. With the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910, the empire dissolved, and never reestablished.

Rise to the throne

Gojong took the throne in 1863 when King Cheoljong died without an heir. The Dowager Queen Sinjeong, mother of King Heonjong and Cheoljong's predecessor, orchestrated twelve year old Gojong's succession to the throne. Queen Cheonin opposed Gojong's ascension to the throne.

The Dowager chose Gojong over his older brother, Yi Jaemyun, to enable her to rule as regent longer. Together with the Dowager Sinjeong, his father, Regent Heungseon (Daewon-gun), ruled for him until Gojong reached adulthood. The Daewon-gun restored Gyeongbokgung as the seat of royalty during his regency.

Reign

In the early years, Daewongun's job as Regent drew little criticism; however, his policies of isolationism became harder and harder to maintain. Japan and China had already entered into active relations with western powers, and those powers began to turn their eyes toward Korea, as evidenced by diplomatic and then military advances by France (1866) and the United States (1871).

When King Gojong reached twenty-one years old, criticism of the Daewongun's policies had increased. Royal officials called for Gojong to take the throne and govern directly. Although Daewongun relinquished his regency, Queen Min emerged as the real power behind the throne. In March 1866, at thirteen years old, Gojong had married fourteen year old Min Ja-young.

The Daewongun had chosen her partly because she had been orphaned at a young age, thus her parents were not around to interfere with palace politics. Daewongun mistakenly thought that he could easily control Min Ja-young. Her political skill, intelligence and strength of character out-weighted her lack of family influence in the royal court.


Gojong, with the influence of Queen Min, adopted more of an open-door policy than his father had maintained. He signed a Treaty of Amity and Trade with the United States in 1882, believing it would help protect Korea against unwanted influence from its closest neighbors, Japan, China and Russia. However, it was of no help in the struggle for influence that began on the Korean peninsula following the invasion of Korea by Chinese, Japanese, and Russian forces during the Sino-Japanese War (1894–95). At first, Russia seemed to be coming out ahead; the Russian consul in Seoul, Karl Ivanovich Weber, developed a personal friendship with Gojong, and after Queen Min was assassinated in 1895, apparently by the Japanese, Weber personally offered the King refuge in the Russian Legation.[1]

Gojong proclaimed the Korean Empire in 1897, which made him the last King of Joseon, and the first ruler of the Korean Empire, with the title Emperor Gwangmu. His intent was to place Korea on a par with China and strengthen Korea against Japanese aggression.[citation needed]

At first, his domestic and foreign policies, however, proved to be successful in the face of Japanese pressure. Gojong played the rival Russian, Japanese and Chinese sides off of each other to prevent each of them from totally controlling Korea. His domestic policies were also successful in industrializing Korea.[citation needed]

Ultimately, however, his efforts at maintaining a sovereign independent state were to no avail. After the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05), Gojong was pressured to accept pro-Japanese advisors to the royal court by the Meiji Emperor of Japan. This move was followed shortly by the Protectorate Treaty of 1905 between Korea and Japan, which stripped Korea of its rights as an independent nation.

Gojong sent representatives to the Hague Peace Convention of 1907 in order to try and re-assert his soveriegnty 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, an enraged Meiji forced Gojong to abdicate in favour of Gojong's son, Sunjong. Sunjong ruled for just three years before the Korean Empire ended with the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910. Gojong opposed the Japanese annexation of Korea up until his death in 1919, and the March 1st Movement for independence chose to schedule their first uprising against the occupation government for a date coinciding with two days before Gojong's funeral.

Children

  • Yi Seon (Wanhwa-gun or Wanchin-wang), first son with his partner, Lady Yeongbodang, (16 April 1868–12 January 1880)
  • Yi Cheok (Hwangtaeja), fourth son with his first wife, Empress Myeongseong. He was married to Miss Min, a daughter of Min Tae-ho – a leader of the Yeoheung-Min clan – known posthumously as Empress Sunmyeong; however, she died before her husband's enthronement. Cheok married again Miss Yun, a daughter of Yun Taek-yeong, who became known as the Empress Sunjeong.
  • Yi Gang (Uihwa-gun or Uichin-wang), fifth son with his partner, Lady Jang, (30 March 1877–August 1955); He married Kim Su-deok, who became Princess Deogin; a daughter of Baron Kim Sa-jun.
  • Yi Eun (Yeongchin-wang), seventh son with his second wife, Princess Consort Sunheon, (20 October 1897–1 May 1970), (see Crown Prince Eun); He married Princess Masako Nashimotonomiya of Japan, a daughter of Prince Morimasa Nashimotonomiya of Japan.
  • Yi Yuk, eighth son with his partner, Lady Gwanghwa-dang (1906–1908)
  • Yi U, ninth son with his partner, Lady Bohyeon-dang; unfortunately, he died in infancy.
  • Lady Deokhye (Deokhye Ongju), fourth daughter with his partner, Lady Bongnyeong-dang, (25 May 1912–11 April 1989); she married Count Takeyuki Sō, a Japanese nobleman of Tsushima.

Titles

  • The Lord Yi Myeong-bok (Jaehwang) (李命福 이명복 Yi Myeong-bok), the second son of Prince Heungseon, 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 Daehanjeguk Gwangmu Daehwangje Pyeha) (1897–1907)
  • His Imperial Majesty The Emperor Emeritus of Korea (大韓帝國太皇帝陛下 대한제국태황제폐하 Daehanjeguk 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 deok su gung Yi Taewang Jeonha) (1910–1919), a demoted title given by the Japanese government on the annexation of Korea, ignored in Korea

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)
House of Yi(Chosŏn dynasty)
Born: July 25 1852; Died: January 21 1919
Regnal Titles


Preceded by:
Cheoljong
King of Korea
1863-1897
became Emperor
Title dissolved
New Title
Empire declared
Emperor of Korea
1897-1907
abdication forced by Japan
Succeeded by: Yungheui Emperor

Legacy

References
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  1. Volkov, M. (May 2004). Русские в Корее- имена и судьбы (Russians in Korea - Names and Fates). Korusforum Journal, Center for Contemporary Korean Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (23).