Yi Myeongbok, Yi Hui, Gwangmu Emperor

Place: Seoul

Born: 1852

Death: 1919

Biography:

Gojong, also known as the Gwangmu Emperor, was the penultimate Korean monarch who ruled Korea for 43 years, from 1864 to 1907. He was born into the ruling House of Yi and was first crowned as the last king of Joseon at the age of twelve. His biological father, Heungseon Daewongun, acted as regent until he reached the age of majority, although he continued holding power until 1874. Gojong attempted to consolidate control, seek foreign support, and modernize the country in order to keep Korea independent. He initiated the Gwangmu Reform, which sought to improve the military, industry, and education, to some amount of success. Gojong's actions drew the ire of Japan, which finally became the sole power in the region and accelerated its pace of absorbing Korea. Gojong was forced to abdicate by Japan on 20 July 1907, and was then confined to Deoksu Palace. He made multiple attempts to escape and establish a government in exile abroad, but was unsuccessful each time. Korea formally became a Japanese colony in 1910, and the Korean imperial family was formally absorbed into the Japanese. Gojong died on 21 January 1919, in his palace, in conditions that were then and are still seen in Korea as suspicious. The official cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage but rumors persisted that Gojong had been poisoned by Japan. His death was a direct catalyst for the March 1st Movement, which in turn bolstered the Korean independence movement.