Empress Myeongseong facts for kids
| Empress Myeongseong 명성황후 |
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Quick facts for kids Empress consort of Korea (posthumously) |
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| Queen consort of Joseon | |||||
| Tenure | 20 March 1866 – 1 November 1873 | ||||
| Predecessor | Queen Cheorin | ||||
| Successor | Empress Sunjeonghyo | ||||
| Tenure | 1 July 1894 – 6 July 1895 | ||||
| Predecessor | Herself as the Queen of Joseon | ||||
| Successor | Empress Sunjeonghyo as the Empress of Korea | ||||
| Queen regent of Joseon | |||||
| Tenure | 1 November 1873 – 1 July 1894 | ||||
| Predecessor | Heungseon Daewongun / Queen Sinjeong | ||||
| Successor | None | ||||
| Monarch | Gojong | ||||
| Tenure | 6 July 1895–8 October 1895 | ||||
| Predecessor | Regained title | ||||
| Successor | None | ||||
| Monarch | Gojong | ||||
| Born | 17 November 1851 House of Gamgodang, Seomrak Village, Geundong-myeon, Yeoheung-mok, Gyeonggi Province, Joseon |
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| Died | 8 October 1895 (aged 43) Okhoru Pavilion, Gonnyeonghap, Geoncheong Palace, Gyeongbok Palace, Joseon |
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| Burial | Hongneung | ||||
| Spouse | |||||
| Issue |
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| House | Yeoheung Min | ||||
| Father | Min Chi-rok, Internal Prince Yeoseong | ||||
| Mother | Internal Princess Consort Hanchang of the Hansan Yi clan | ||||
| Religion | Shamanism | ||||
| Seal |  |
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| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
명성황후
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| Hanja |
明成皇后
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| Revised Romanization | Myeongseong Hwanghu |
| McCune–Reischauer | Myŏngsŏng Hwanghu |
| Birth name | |
| Hangul |
민자영
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| Hanja |
閔玆暎
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| Revised Romanization | Min Ja-yeong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Min Cha-yŏng |
Empress Myeongseong (명성황후 민씨; 17 November 1851 – 8 October 1895), also known as Empress Min, was the official wife of Gojong. Gojong was the 26th king of Joseon and later the first emperor of the Korean Empire. After her death, she was given the special title of Myeongseong, the Great Empress.
Empress Myeongseong was seen as a challenge by the government of Meiji Japan because they wanted to expand their power. She strongly opposed Japanese influence, especially after her father-in-law, Heungseon Daewongun, tried to remove her from power.
After Japan won the First Sino-Japanese War, Korea came under Japan's control. The Empress wanted Korea to become closer with Russia to stop Japan's growing power. Miura Gorō, the Japanese Minister in Korea, supported the Daewongun, who he thought would be more friendly to Japan.
On 8 October 1895, soldiers loyal to the Daewongun attacked Gyeongbokgung Palace. Japanese agents, known as ronin, then entered the palace and killed the Empress. This event caused anger around the world.
In Korea, the assassination led to strong anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea. Many people joined the Eulmi Righteous Army to protest. After the Empress's death, King Gojong and the crown prince (who later became Emperor Sunjong of Korea) went to the Russian legation for safety in 1896. This led to the end of the Gabo Reform, which had been influenced by Japan. In October 1897, King Gojong returned to his palace and announced the start of the Korean Empire.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Empress Myeongseong was born on 17 November 1851. Her family, the Yeoheung Min clan, was a noble family with a long history. They had many important officials and even two previous queens in their family.
Her father, Min Chi-rok, passed away when she was only seven years old. She was then raised by her mother and other Min relatives. When she became Queen Consort in 1866, her mother and father were given special royal titles. Sadly, her mother died in a bombing in 1874.
Choosing a Queen for King Gojong
When King Gojong was 15, his father, the Daewongun, looked for a wife for him. He wanted someone from a noble family but without powerful relatives who might try to gain political power. The Daewongun's wife suggested a bride from their own Min clan. This young woman was an orphan and was described as beautiful and smart.
She went through a careful selection process and married King Gojong on 20 March 1866. She was just under 16 years old, and Gojong was 15. The Daewongun thought she would be easy to control. However, he soon realized she was a strong and determined woman.
At first, the young queen was seen as gentle. But as she grew older, she became unhappy with the Daewongun's influence. King Gojong also showed more interest in a concubine, which upset the Queen.
The Queen was different from other queens. She didn't like lavish parties or extravagant clothes. Instead, she spent her time reading books usually meant for men. She studied history, science, politics, and philosophy to educate herself.
Becoming a Powerful Queen
Taking Control of the Court
By the time she was twenty, the Queen began to take an active role in politics. This was against the wishes of the Daewongun and other officials. Their political struggle became public when her first baby son died shortly after birth. The Daewongun blamed her, but she suspected he was involved.
The Queen secretly started to build a strong group against the Daewongun. With the support of officials and scholars, she worked to remove him from power. In 1873, King Gojong, now 22, agreed that his father should retire. The Daewongun was forced to leave the palace. The Queen then sent the King's concubine and her child away from the capital.
With the Daewongun gone, the Queen gained full control over the court. She placed her family members in important positions. She became a powerful queen who ruled alongside her husband, often being more politically active than Gojong himself.
Japan's Growing Influence
After Korea refused to accept Japanese envoys, Japan tried again to connect with Korea. When the Daewongun was removed from power, Japan sent a warship, the Unyō, to pressure Korea. The ship entered Korean waters near Ganghwa Island, causing a fight with Korean defenses. Japan used this incident to force Korea to sign a treaty.
In 1876, the Ganghwa Treaty was signed. This treaty opened Korea to Japan and the rest of the world. Several ports were opened for Japanese trade, and Japanese people could buy land in certain areas. For a few years, Japan had almost complete control of trade, which hurt Korean merchants.
Modernizing Joseon Korea
Learning from Japan
In 1877, King Gojong and the Min clan sent a group led by Kim Gi-su to Japan. Their goal was to study how Japan was adopting Western ways. In 1881, another group, led by Kim Hongjip, went to Japan. They were amazed by how much Japanese cities had grown and modernized.
In Japan, Kim met with Chinese officials who advised Korea to stay close to China but also maintain ties with Japan. They also suggested an alliance with the United States to protect against Russia. They recommended opening trade with Western countries and adopting Western technology.
When Kim returned to Korea, Queen Min was very interested in these ideas. She wanted to invite Western nations to trade with Korea. Her plan was to let Japan help with modernization at first, then use Western powers to limit Japan's influence.
However, many Korean nobles were against opening the country to the West. They feared Western ideas and Christianity would destroy Korean traditions. Despite these objections, the Queen sent a large group to Japan in 1881 to study their government, factories, and military.
Based on these reports, the Queen began to reorganize the government. New departments were created to handle foreign relations and commerce. A military department was also set up to modernize weapons and training. She also arranged for Korean military students to be sent to China and Japan for training.
The 1882 Uprising
In June 1882, some older military units became angry about the special treatment given to the new, modernized units. They attacked the house of Min Gyeom-ho, a relative of the Queen, and killed him. These soldiers then went to the Daewongun, who secretly encouraged them.
The Daewongun took control of the old units and ordered an attack on Seoul's government district. Soldiers ransacked homes of the Queen's relatives and attacked Japanese training officers. The Queen and King Gojong escaped in disguise and hid in a relative's villa.
When the Daewongun couldn't find the Queen, he announced she was dead. He reversed all of the Queen's reforms and sent Chinese and Japanese envoys away. China sent 4,500 troops to restore order and arrested the Daewongun, taking him to China. The King and Queen then returned and undid all of the Daewongun's actions.
Japan forced King Gojong to sign a treaty, making Korea pay a large sum for damages. The Queen then made a new trade agreement with China, giving China special rights. She also asked for a Chinese commander to train Korean troops and a German adviser to manage customs.
Seeking Help from North America
In September 1883, the Queen established English language schools with American teachers. She also sent a special mission to the United States in July 1883. The mission met with President Chester A. Arthur and discussed Japanese and U.S. investments in Korea.
Reformers vs. Conservatives
A group called the Progressives wanted Korea to adopt Western ways immediately and cut ties with China. The Queen initially liked their ideas, but she turned against them when she realized their strong anti-Chinese views. She preferred a gradual approach to Westernization.
In December 1884, the Progressives, with Japanese help, staged a bloody palace coup. They killed many conservative officials and took control of the government. The Queen was horrified and refused to support their actions. After only two days, Chinese troops crushed the coup. Japan again forced King Gojong to sign a treaty, making Korea pay more money.
However, the Queen was smart. She convinced Chinese envoys to keep 2,000 soldiers in Korea, disguised as police or merchants, to guard against Japanese actions and continue training Korean troops.
Public Policies and Modernization
Education for a New Era
With Chinese protection, plans for modernization continued. In May 1885, a palace school called "Yugyoung Kung-won" was opened to educate children of the elite. American missionaries taught courses in English. The Queen also supported the first all-girls' school, Ewha Academy, established in Seoul in 1886. This school, founded by American missionary Mary F. Scranton, was a big step for social change. Today, it is Ewha Woman's University, a top university in South Korea.
The Queen welcomed Christian missionaries, unlike her father-in-law who had persecuted them. She valued their knowledge of Western history, science, and math. She saw no threat to Korean traditions from Christianity and promoted religious tolerance.
The Rise of the Press
The first newspaper in Joseon, the Hanseong Sunbo, was published in 1883. It was an official government paper that included news and articles about Westernization. In 1886, a new newspaper, the Hanseong Jubo, was published in Korean. This was important for communicating with more people.
Medicine, Religion, and Music
The arrival of Horace Newton Allen in September 1884, invited by the Queen, marked the start of Christianity in Korea. He also brought modern medicine by opening the first Western Royal Medical Clinic in February 1885.
Protestant missionaries arrived in large numbers in April 1885. They established churches and centers across the country. Catholic missionaries also returned. These missionaries brought new ideas like equality and human rights. The Queen wanted to use these values in government. Christian educational programs also helped increase literacy rates.
Western music theory and instruments like the organ were introduced in 1890. A Christian hymnal was published in Korean in 1893, thanks to the Queen. Although she supported Christianity, the Queen herself remained a devout Buddhist with influences from shamanism and Confucianism.
Modernizing the Military
Modern weapons were imported from Japan and the United States in 1883. The first military factories were built, and new uniforms were created in 1884. The King and Queen asked the United States for more military instructors to speed up modernization.
In October 1883, American minister Lucius Foote arrived to help modernize older army units. In 1888, General William McEntyre Dye and other instructors arrived from the U.S., leading to fast military development. A new military school was created, and an officers' training program began. However, the navy was neglected, which later left Korea's long coastlines vulnerable.
Boosting the Economy
After Korean ports opened to foreign merchants in 1888, trade grew quickly. In 1883, the Maritime Customs Service was created to manage foreign trade and collect taxes.
By 1883, the economy was no longer controlled by Japanese merchants. Koreans, Western nations, Japan, and China all had a share. In 1884, the first Korean commercial companies appeared. A new coin was also produced, making the Korean currency stable. Western investment began in 1886.
A project called "American Farm" was started on land donated by the Queen to promote modern agriculture. Farm tools, seeds, and dairy cows were imported from the United States. In 1883, a Bureau of Machines was established, and steam engines were imported. Telegraph lines were also laid between Korea, China, and Japan, improving communication.
Personal Life of the Empress
Early Years of Marriage
Detailed descriptions of Empress Myeongseong come from Korean records and from Lillias Underwood, an American missionary and her doctor. She was described as having a soft face with strong features, a classic beauty. Her voice was soft, but she spoke with strength when dealing with state affairs. She followed court rules strictly.
Isabella Bird Bishop, a British traveler, described the Empress as "clever and educated."
The young Queen and King Gojong had a difficult start to their marriage. She preferred studying, while he enjoyed parties. She once said, "He disgusts me."
The Queen had trouble having healthy children. Her first four children died shortly after birth. Her only surviving child was Yi Cheok, born when she was 24. These difficulties were likely due to the constant conflicts with the Daewongun and other countries. She stopped having children earlier than other royal women, possibly because of the constant danger she faced.
Her son, Sunjong, was often sick. This made the Empress anxious that a concubine's son might replace him. She sought help from shamans and monks for blessings. The Crown Prince and the Empress had a close mother-son relationship.
Later Years and Growing Affection
Over time, King Gojong and his Queen grew to love each other. Gojong often needed his wife's help with international and domestic affairs because he lacked formal education. He admired her intelligence and quick learning. As the kingdom faced more problems, Gojong relied on her even more.
It is believed that Gojong fell deeply in love with his wife during the years of Korea's modernization. They spent much time together, sharing problems and joys. They truly became a devoted couple.
Gojong's love for her was strong. After her death, he locked himself in his chambers for weeks, refusing to perform his duties. He later resisted attempts to lower her status posthumously. It is said he did not attend his father's funeral due to their strained relationship.
The Assassination of Empress Myeongseong
| Eulmi Incident | |||||||
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 Okhoru Pavilion in Geoncheonggung, Gyeongbokgung where the Empress was killed. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Miura Goro Okamoto RyūnosukeSugimura FukashiSase KumatetsuKunitomo ShigeakiNakamura TateoNiiro TokisukeHirayama IwahikoAdachi Kenzō Woo Beom-seonYi Du-hwang |
GojongMyeongseong XHong Gye-hun †An Gyeong-suYi Gyeong-jik †Hyeon Heung-taek William McEntyre Dye |
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| Strength | |||||||
| Japanese Legation Security Group Military Training Division (Hullyeondae): 1,000 48 ronin |
Capital Guards (Siwidae): 300-400 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown military casualties but many court ladies, eunuchs, and officials killed or wounded. | |||||||
The assassination of Empress Myeongseong, known as the Eulmi Incident, happened early on 8 October 1895. It took place at Okhoru, a private royal residence inside Gyeongbokgung Palace.
As Japanese soldiers entered the palace, King Gojong tried to distract them so the Queen could escape. He stood in front of them, but they beat court ladies and threatened the Crown Prince to make him reveal his mother's location. The Crown Prince did not tell them and safely joined his father. He then watched as a Japanese soldier chased the Queen. The Crown Prince's wife, Crown Princess Consort Min, was also attacked.
The Queen was killed. It is said that her daughter-in-law, later Empress Sunmyeong, witnessed the assassination while trying to protect her. She later died from sadness.
The Empress's body was taken to a pine forest, burned, and buried. When news spread that Japan was involved, an investigation found only a single finger bone among the ashes. This made identifying her remains difficult. Her royal title was later restored.
Historian Peter Duus called this assassination a "hideous event, crudely conceived and brutally executed." Donald Keene described the murder as "unspeakably barbaric."
Aftermath and Funeral
After the assassination, Emperor Meiji of Japan tried to cover up the news.
On 6 January 1897, King Gojong changed Queen Min's title to "Queen Moonseong." Later, on 2 March 1897, he changed it again to "Queen Myeongseong." When Gojong became Emperor Gwangmu on 13 October 1897, her title was changed to "Empress Myeongseong."
On 13 October 1897, King Gojong, with Russian support, regained his throne. He spent a lot of money to honor his beloved Queen Min's remains. On 22 November 1897, her funeral procession included 5,000 soldiers, 650 police, and thousands of lanterns. This grand funeral showed King Gojong's deep love for her and honored her efforts for Korea against Japan. Empress Myeongseong's tomb is located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, South Korea.
Current Discussions
In May 2005, Tatsumi Kawano, the grandson of one of the people involved in the assassination, visited Empress Myeongseong's tomb. He apologized on behalf of his grandfather. However, the Empress's descendants felt that the apology needed to come from the Japanese government itself.
Since 2009, Korean groups have tried to sue the Japanese government for its role in the Empress's murder. They demand an official apology and the release of documents related to the case.
Family Tree
- Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
- Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
- Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan (본관: 파평 윤씨)
- Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
- Min Yeo-jun (민여준, 閔汝俊) (1539–1599)
- Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
- Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (전주 이씨, 全州 李氏)
- Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
- Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
- Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan(남양 홍씨, 南陽 洪氏)
- Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
- Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
- Lady Yi of the Yeonan Yi clan
- Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
- Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
- Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
- Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
- Lady Yi of the Yeonan Yi clan
- Great-Great-Grandfather
- Great-Grandfather
- Great-Grandmother
- Grandfather
- Grandmother
- Father
- Mother
- Siblings
- Husband
- King Gojong (later Emperor Gojong) (고종 광무제) (1852 – 1919)
- Father-in-law: Heungseon Daewongun (흥선대원군) (1820 – 1898)
- Mother-in-law: Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok of the Yeoheung Min clan (순목부대부인 민씨) (1818 – 1898)
- King Gojong (later Emperor Gojong) (고종 광무제) (1852 – 1919)
- Children
- Unnamed son (1871)
- Unnamed daughter (1873)
- Son: Emperor Sunjong (1874 – 1926)
- Daughter-in-law: Empress Sunmyeong of the Yeoheung Min clan (순명황후 민씨) (1872 – 1904)
- Daughter-in-law: Empress Sunjeong of the Haepyeong Yun clan (순정황후 윤씨) (1894 – 1966)
- Unnamed son (1875)
- Unnamed son (1878)
Images for kids
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The national funeral march for Empress Myeongseong two years after her assassination in 1895
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Labelled as "a Lady's maid in Korean emperor's court" but also thought by many to be Myeongseong, c.1900; p.183 The passing of Korea (book)
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Japanese illustration of King Gojong and Queen Min receiving Inoue Kaoru
See also
In Spanish: Myeongseong de Joseon para niños
