Sunjong of Korea

Sunjong, the Emperor Yunghui (Korean: 융희제; Hanja: 隆熙帝; RR: Yunghuije; MR: Yunghŭije; 25 March 1874 – 24 April 1926), was the second and the last Emperor of Korea, of the Yi dynasty, ruling from 1907 until 1910.

Not to be confused with Sunjong of Goryeo.
Sunjong
순종
純宗
Emperor of Korea
Reign19 July 1907 – 29 August 1910
PredecessorGojong of Korea
SuccessorPosition abolished
(Terauchi Masatake as Governor General of Japanese Korea)
Born(1874-03-25)25 March 1874
Changdeok Palace, Hanseong, Joseon dynasty of Korea
Died24 April 1926(1926-04-24) (aged 52)
Changdeok Palace, Keijō, Japanese Korea
Burial
Yureung
SpouseEmpress Sunmyeong
Empress Sunjeong
Era dates
Yunghui (융희, 隆熙; 1907 – 1910)
Posthumous name
Emperor Mun-on Mu-ryeong Don-in Seong-gyeong Hyo (문온무령돈인성경효황제, 文溫武寧敦仁誠敬孝皇帝)
Temple name
Sunjong (순종, 純宗)
HouseHouse of Yi
FatherGojong of Korea
MotherQueen Myeongseong
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSunjong Yunghuije
McCune–ReischauerSunjong Yung'huije
Pen name
Hangul
정헌
Hanja
正軒
Revised RomanizationJeongheon
McCune–ReischauerChŏnghŏn
Birth name
Hangul
이척
Hanja
李坧
Revised RomanizationI Cheok
McCune–ReischauerYi Ch'ŏk
Courtesy name
Hangul
군방
Hanja
君邦
Revised RomanizationGunbang
McCune–ReischauerKunbang

Biography

Sunjong was the second son of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong. When he was two years old, Sunjong was proclaimed the crown prince. In 1882, he married a daughter of the Min clan, who later became Empress Sunmyeonghyo (Korean: 순명효황후; Hanja: 純明孝皇后).

The Korean Empire was established in 1897, and Sunjong became the imperial crown prince. In July 1907, Gojong was deposed as a result of Japanese coercion, and Sunjong was made emperor of Korea. He was proclaimed heir to the throne of Prince Imperial Yeong (Korean: 영친왕; Hanja: 英親王), the younger brother of Sunjong, and moved from Deoksugung Palace to the imperial residence at Changdeokgung Palace.[1]

Sunjong's reign was limited by the gradually increasing armed intervention of the Japanese government in Korea. In July 1907, he was proclaimed emperor of Korea but was immediately forced to enter into the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907 (Korean: 한일신협약, 정미7조약; Hanja: 韓日新協約, 丁未七條約). This treaty allowed the Japanese government to supervise and intervene in the administration and governance of Korea, which also allowed for the appointment of Japanese ministers within the government.[2]

While under Japanese supervision, the Korean army was dismissed on the pretext of lack of public finance regulations. In 1909, Japan implemented the Japan–Korea Protocol (Korean: 기유각서; Hanja: 己酉覺書) which effectively removed Korea's judicial power. Meanwhile, Japan dispatched Itō Hirobumi, Japanese Resident-General of Korea, to negotiate with Russia over problems involving Korea and Manchuria. However, Itō was assassinated by Ahn Jung-geun at Harbin, which led to the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910. Pro-Japanese politicians, such as Song Byung-jun and Lee Wan-yong, defected, merging Korea with Japan by fabricating Korea's willingness and establishing the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty on August 29, 1910.[3][4]

Although still existent on paper, the intervention by the Japanese government effectively ended Sunjong's reign over the Korean Empire and he became essentially powerless within three years of ruling. Japan, in effect, abolished the Korean Empire on August 29, 1910, ending 519 years of the Joseon dynasty.[5]

After abdication

After the annexation treaty, the former Emperor Sunjong and his wife, Empress Sunjeong, lived the rest of their lives virtually imprisoned in Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul.[6] Sunjong could not exercise any power as emperor because there were only pro-Japanese politicians in government. After the Korean Empire collapsed, Sunjong was demoted from emperor to king. Japan allowed him the title of King Yi of Changdeok Palace (Korean: 창덕궁 이왕; Hanja: 昌德宮 李王) and allowed for the title to be inherited.[1]

Sunjong died on April 24, 1926, in Changdeokgung and is buried with his two wives at the imperial tomb of Yureung (유릉, 裕陵) in the city of Namyangju. His state funeral on June 10, 1926, was a catalyst for the June 10th Movement against Japanese rule. He had no children.[7]

Family
  1. Empress Sunmyeong of the Yeoheung Min clan (순명황후 민씨, 1872–1904) – born to Min Tae-ho, leader of the Yeoheung Min clan; relative of Empress Myeongseong. She died before her husband was enthroned.
  2. Empress Sunjeong of the Haepyeong Yun clan (순정황후 윤씨, 1894–1966) – daughter of Marquis Yun Taek-yeong.

His full posthumous name
  • His Imperial Majesty Emperor Sunjong Munon Muryeong Donin Seonggyeong of Korea
  • 대한제국순종문온무령돈인성경황제폐하 (transcription: Daehan Jeguk Sunjong Munon Muryeong Donin Seonggyeong Hwangje Pyeha)
  • 大韓帝國純宗文溫武寧敦仁誠敬皇帝陛下

Honours

Ancestry
  • Emperor Gojong and the Crown Prince Sunjong
  • Sunjong wearing Court uniform and dress in the Empire of Japan and Japanese honors
  • Sunjong wearing Court uniform and dress of the Empire of Japan, Japanese honors and Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
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See also

References
  1. "The Academy of Korean Studies(한국학중앙연구원) : 순종(Sunjong)".
  2. 『고종시대사 6』(History of Gojong's Period 6) : 국사편찬위원회(National History Compilation Committee), 1969, 635p.
  3. 『고종시대사 6』(History of Gojong's Period 6) : 국사편찬위원회(National History Compilation Committee), 1969, 641p.
  4. Rhee, Song Nai. Beautiful as the Rainbow: Nashimoto Masako, a Japanese Princess against All ... p. 100.
  5. "::: Cultural Heritage, the source for Koreans' Strength and Dream :::". Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  6. "Emperor Sunjong of Korea". Asian History. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  7. Yunghui Yi Cheok, Emperor Sunjong. Korea's Last Emperor's Goodbye: Korea Annexed by Japan. 1915.
  8. 刑部芳則 (2017). 明治時代の勲章外交儀礼 (PDF) (in Japanese). 明治聖徳記念学会紀要. pp. 149, 150, 155.
Sunjong of Korea
Born: 25 March 1874 Died: 24 April 1926
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Gojong		 Emperor of Korea
19 July 1907 – 29 August 1910		 Empire dissolved
Annexed by Japan
Royal titles
New title
 King Yi
(Changdeokgung)
29 August 1910 – 24 April 1926		 Succeeded by
Yi Un
Titles in pretence
Loss of title — TITULAR —
Emperor of Korea
29 August 1910 – 24 April 1926
Reason for succession failure:
Empire abolished in 1910		 Succeeded by
Crown Prince Euimin
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