King Gojong, Heungseon Daewongun and the Collapse of the Joseon Dynasty Part 2 [History of Korea]

#korea #koreanhistory #koreanculture #history #joseon #historyofkorea (episode 49)

In this second episode, I will explore the important events that took place in Joseon from 1882 to 1899. Joseon has previously engaged in skirmishes with foreign powers and signed treaties with Japan and the United States. Joseon has dealt with unrest at home and Heungseon Daewongun 흥선대원군, the king’s father, has left his mark on Joseon politics.

First, in 1882, a violent uprising by Joseon soldiers and commoners occurred: the Imo Incident 임오군란. The rioters destroyed many homes of government officials and even occupied Changdeok Palace 창덕궁. They killed several Japanese including a military advisor. Qing China got involved by sending soldiers and arresting Heungseon Daewongun. Joseon signed a treaty with Qing 조청상민수륙무역장정 reinforcing Joseon’s dependency on Qing.

Next, the Gapsin Coup 갑신정변 took place in 1884. It was essentially anti-Qing and wanted Joseon to modernize following the Meiji Japan model. The coup failed but Japan gained a foothold on Joseon and they signed the Treaty of Hanseong 한성조약. Meanwhile, Qing signed the Convention of Tianjin 天津条約 with Japan; both countries promised to remove their troops from Korea. Yuan Shikai 袁世凯 stayed in Seoul and continued to influence Joseon politics.

Ten years later, in 1894 and 1895, the Donghak Peasant Revolution 동학농민혁명, also called the Gabo Peasants’ War, began. Gojong asked Qing for help. It sent sent soldiers to Korea thus breaking its treaty with Japan. This led to the First Sino-Japanese war that was won unconditionally by Japan. The Treaty of Shimonoseki 시모노세키 조약 / 下関条約 / 馬關條約 signed between Japan and Qing ended Joseon’s tributary relationship with Qing. Joseon became independent on paper, but not really in reality…

Next, the Gabo reform 갑오개혁 was introduced after the Peasant Revolution. It fundamentally changed Joseon society while also increasing Japan’s sphere of influence in Joseon. This was helped by the barbaric assassination of Queen Myeongseong 명성황후 by Japanese soldiers on October 1895: the Eulmi Incident 을미사변.

Finally, in 1897, Gojong declared himself Emperor of Korea - officially becoming independent of Qing. Joseon would now be known as the Korean Empire:  Daehanjaeguk 대한제국.

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*Other figures and topics explored in this video:
byeolgigun 별기군, Min Gyeom-ho 민겸호, Gaehwa party 개화파, Sadaedang 사대당, Choe Je-u 최제우, Jeon Bong-jun 전봉준, Kim Gae-nam 김개남, cheonmin 천민, kisaeng 기생, Otori Keisuke 大鳥 圭介, Kim Hong-jip 김홍집, Park Yeong-hyo 박영효, Miura Goro 三浦 梧楼, Hwagudan 환구단, Gwangmu 광무, Ōshima Yoshimasa 大島 義昌, Okamoto Ryunosuke 岡本 柳之助, Meiji Restoration 明治維新, Inoue Kaoru 井上 馨, Kim Ok-gyun 김옥균, Hong Yeong-sik 홍영식, Soh Jaipil - Philip Jaisohn 서재필, Guangxu Emperor 光緒帝