History of Gojong of Korea

Gojong of Korea, born Yi Myeong-bok on September 8, 1852, and reigning from 1863 to 1907, was the 26th king of the Joseon Dynasty and the first emperor of the Korean Empire. His reign marked a critical period in Korean history, filled with significant political upheaval and the struggle for modernization amidst external pressures from major world powers. Gojong's political career and legacy as a leader are deeply intertwined with Korea's attempts at reform and the unfortunate descent into colonization by Japan.

Gojong ascended to the throne at a tender age of 12, and due to his youth, real power initially rested in the hands of his father, Heungseon Daewongun (also known as the Regent Daewongun). The Daewongun ruled as regent until Gojong was deemed old enough to rule in his own right. During his regency, the Daewongun pursued a policy of strict isolationism, strengthened central authority, and suppressed foreign influence and Christianity, which he viewed as threats to the state's stability. His reforms focused on solidifying the power of the monarchy by combating corruption, restructuring the military, and reducing the influence of the yangban class, the traditional Korean aristocracy.

In 1873, Gojong came of age and assumed full regal control, marking a shift in the political landscape. He distanced himself from his father's isolationist policies and began engaging more with foreign powers, a necessary move in the face of increasingly aggressive encroachments from China, Japan, and Russia. A significant and controversial period was initiated in 1876 when Japan coerced Korea into signing the Treaty of Ganghwa following Japan's success in opening up Japan to Western influence and defeating China in the Sino-Japanese War. This treaty forced Korea to open three ports to Japanese trade, signaling the beginning of Korea's loss of sovereignty.

Through the late 19th century, Gojong's reign oscillated between attempts to modernize Korea and succumbing to external pressures. The internal political landscape grew increasingly complex as pro-modernization factions, often backed by foreign interests, vied with conservative elements who desired to maintain traditional structures. Gojong’s government undertook several modernization efforts, including reforms in the military, the establishment of new governmental structures, and steps toward economic modernization. These moves, however, were often under-resourced and stifled by both internal resistance and external manipulations.

The delicate balance Gojong attempted to maintain was severely challenged as Korea became a pawn in the larger geopolitical conflicts of East Asia. The First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) and the subsequent Treaty of Shimonoseki further diminished China's influence over Korea, thereby increasing Japan's. In the midst of these tensions, the assassination of Empress Myeongseong, Gojong’s wife, by Japanese agents in 1895 aimed at solidifying Japan’s dominance by removing pro-Russian influences at court.

A critical turning point came in 1897 when Gojong declared the establishment of the Korean Empire, proclaiming himself as Emperor and adopting the era name Gwangmu, in an effort to assert Korean sovereignty and independence. This move sought to place Korea on equal diplomatic footing with neighboring empires. Gojong attempted to align more closely with Russia, seeking to counterbalance Japan’s influence. However, the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) decisively shifted power in Japan’s favor. Japan's victory led to the signing of the Eulsa Treaty in 1905, making Korea a protectorate of Japan and effectively stripping Gojong of diplomatic power.

Gojong’s political acumen was further marginalized, as Japan installed a Resident-General to oversee Korean affairs. The emperor’s desperate appeals to international powers at the Hague Peace Conference in 1907 went unheeded, leading to increased Japanese pressure and his abdication in favor of his son, Sunjong. Gojong was reduced to the title of “Daehan Emperor Emeritus” with his political influence virtually nullified.

In examining Gojong’s political legacy, one must recognize his efforts to respond to the intense pressures of modernization and colonial threat. His political journey reflects a sovereign caught in the tumult of global power struggles and regional politics beyond his capacity to control fully. The tragedy of Gojong's reign is anchored in his sincere, albeit often ineffective, attempts to preserve the sovereignty and dignity of Korea. Despite his modernizing vision, the combination of domestic opposition, his diplomatic constraints, and external imperialism led to Korea's annexation by Japan in 1910, just three years after his forced abdication.

Gojong’s reign is a poignant chapter in Korean history, highlighting the country's vulnerability in the face of imperialism and its struggle for modernization and autonomy. Today, his legacy serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between domestic reform and foreign intervention, shaping the discourse surrounding Korea’s national identity and sovereignty.