Born: 8th September 1852
Died: 21st January 1919
Father: Yi Ha-eung, also known as Heungseon Daewongun (Grand Internal Prince) (1820–1898)
Mother: Sunmok Budaebuin (Grand Internal Princess Consort) (1818–1898)
Principal Spouse: Myeongseong (Queen Min) (1851–1895)
Children:
By Myeongseong: Emperor Sunjong (1874–1926)
By Imperial Consort Yi Sun-ah: Yi Seon, Prince Wanhwa (1868–1880)
By Imperial Consort Gwi-in: Yi Kang, Prince Uihwa (1877–1955)
By Imperial Noble Consort Seon-yeong: Yi Un, Crown Prince Uimin (1897–1970)
By Imperial Consort Yang Chun-gi: Yi Deok-hye, Princess Deokhye (1912–1989)
By Imperial Consort Bohyeon Gwi-in: Prince Yi U (1915–1916)
Emperor Gojong (1852–1919) ruled first as King of Joseon and, from 1897, as the first emperor of the Korean Empire. His reign saw intense struggles over political reform, foreign intervention and Korea’s independence.
This timeline follows his life, from his accession as a child monarch to his forced abdication in 1907 and death in 1919. For the wider events that followed, see our Japanese Occupation of Korea timeline.
Early life and accession (1852–1873)
8 September 1852 – Gojong is born
Yi Myeong-bok, later King and Emperor Gojong, is born in Hanseong (present-day Seoul). He is the son of Yi Ha-eung, later known as Heungseon Daewongun, and Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan.
December 1863 – Gojong succeeds to the Joseon throne
Following the death of King Cheoljong without a surviving heir, Yi Myeong-bok is selected to succeed him. Still a child, he depends on the court and his father, Heungseon Daewongun, who exercises substantial political power.
1866 – The royal marriage to Queen Min
Gojong marries Min Ja-yeong, subsequently known as Queen Min and posthumously as Empress Myeongseong. She later becomes an influential political figure.
1866 – The General Sherman incident
The American merchant vessel General Sherman travels up the Taedong River, leading to an armed confrontation with Korean forces near Pyongyang. The ship is destroyed and its crew killed.
1866 – France launches a military expedition to Korea
French forces attack Ganghwa Island following the execution of French Catholic missionaries in Korea. After fighting, the expedition withdraws; French forces take valuable books and other objects.
1871 – American forces attack Korean coastal forts
During the United States expedition to Korea, known as Shinmiyangyo, American troops fight Korean defenders on Ganghwa Island. The clash does not establish diplomatic relations.
1873 – Gojong begins exercising direct political authority
The influence of Heungseon Daewongun diminishes as Gojong assumes a greater role in governing Joseon. Rival factions at court disagree over foreign relations and reform.
Diplomacy and internal crises (1874–1889)
25 March 1874 – The future Emperor Sunjong is born
Queen Min gives birth to Yi Cheok, the future Emperor Sunjong. He later succeeds Gojong during the final years of the Korean Empire.
September 1875 – The Ganghwa Island incident
A confrontation between a Japanese warship and Korean coastal defences heightens tensions, and Japan subsequently presses Joseon to sign a treaty.
27 February 1876 – The Treaty of Ganghwa is signed
Japan compels Korea to enter an unequal treaty that opens Korean ports to Japanese commerce and recognises Korea as an independent state in terms intended to weaken its traditional relationship with Qing China.
22 May 1882 – Korea signs a treaty with the United States
Joseon and the United States sign the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation, an important step in Korea’s formal diplomatic relations with Western powers.
July 1882 – The Imo military uprising
Discontented Korean soldiers rise against the government and Japanese influence. Violence breaks out in Seoul, and Chinese troops intervene as political factions struggle for control.
December 1884 – The Gapsin Coup
Reformers supported by Japan attempt to seize power and introduce sweeping changes. Qing troops intervene and the coup collapses within days.
1880s – Competing foreign influences reshape court politics
Gojong and his advisers navigate mounting pressure from Qing China, Japan, Russia and Western states as reformers and conservatives clash over Korea’s future.
Reform, foreign intervention and the Korean Empire (1890–1903)
1894 – The Donghak Peasant Revolution
Large-scale peasant uprisings challenge corruption and inequality. Requests for outside military assistance intensify the rivalry between Qing China and Japan.
July 1894 – The First Sino-Japanese War begins
Japan and Qing China go to war amid competition for influence over Korea. Japanese military intervention places the Joseon court under severe pressure.
1894–1896 – The Gabo reforms
Successive Korean governments introduce reforms to the administration, legal system and social order, although the process unfolds under heavy Japanese influence and domestic political conflict.
17 April 1895 – The Treaty of Shimonoseki
Qing China recognises Korea’s independence as part of its peace treaty with Japan, ending Korea’s longstanding tributary relationship with China while increasing Japan’s regional leverage.
8 October 1895 – Queen Min is assassinated
Japanese agents and Korean collaborators kill Queen Min at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Her death provokes outrage and contributes to resistance against Japanese influence.
11 February 1896 – Gojong takes refuge at the Russian legation
Gojong and the crown prince leave the palace for the Russian legation in Seoul, seeking protection amid political turmoil. The move alters the balance of influence around the Korean court.
1896 – The Independence Club is established
Reform-minded Koreans, including Seo Jae-pil (Philip Jaisohn), establish an organisation advocating national independence, civic participation and modern institutions.
February 1897 – Gojong returns from the Russian legation
After approximately a year at the Russian legation, Gojong returns to his palace, preparing for a major assertion of Korean sovereignty.
12 October 1897 – Gojong proclaims the Korean Empire
Gojong declares the Daehan Empire (Korean Empire) and takes the title of emperor, with the reign name Gwangmu. The new imperial status is intended to assert Korea’s equality and sovereignty in international relations.
1897 onwards – The Gwangmu reforms
The imperial government pursues modernisation through changes in administration, infrastructure, industry, communications and military organisation, with mixed results under growing foreign pressure.
1898 – Gojong faces pressure from the Independence Club
The Independence Club promotes political reform and broader public participation. Gojong ultimately moves against the organisation as its demands come into conflict with imperial authority.
1898 – Heungseon Daewongun dies
Gojong’s father, a major force during the early reign, dies. Their political relationship had been marked by prolonged disagreements.
1900 – The Korean Empire seeks international recognition
Gojong’s government seeks to strengthen its international standing, including participation in the Paris Exposition and continued diplomatic engagement abroad.
Japanese pressure and abdication (1904–1907)
February 1904 – The Russo-Japanese War begins
Japan and Russia go to war over regional influence. Japanese military operations greatly restrict the Korean Empire’s freedom of action.
September 1905 – Japan defeats Russia
The Treaty of Portsmouth ends the Russo-Japanese War. Japan’s strengthened regional position places Gojong’s government under further pressure.
17 November 1905 – Japan imposes the Eulsa Protectorate Treaty
Japan forces through an agreement placing Korea’s foreign relations under Japanese control. Gojong does not sign the treaty and continues to challenge its legitimacy.
1906 – Gojong seeks international assistance
Gojong attempts to appeal to foreign powers against Japan’s growing control of Korea, but his diplomatic efforts fail to restore the country’s autonomy.
1907 – Gojong sends envoys to The Hague
Korean representatives travel to the Second Hague Peace Conference to seek international attention for Korea’s situation. Japan uses the mission as a pretext to intensify pressure on the emperor.
19 July 1907 – Gojong is forced to abdicate
Under Japanese pressure, Gojong relinquishes the throne to his son Sunjong. Japan further increases its control over the Korean government.
24 July 1907 – A new Japan–Korea agreement limits self-rule
A further agreement expands Japan’s authority over Korean administration and appointments, severely restricting the Korean Empire’s remaining political independence.
1 August 1907 – The Korean imperial army is disbanded
The Korean military is forcibly dissolved, provoking fighting between Korean soldiers and Japanese forces around Namdaemun in Seoul. Some former soldiers join armed resistance movements.
Final years and historical legacy (1908–1919)
22 August 1910 – Japan and Korea sign an annexation treaty
The annexation agreement is signed under conditions of imperial coercion. It ends the Korean Empire as a sovereign state.
29 August 1910 – Japanese annexation takes effect
Japan publicly promulgates the annexation of Korea. Gojong is deprived of his former imperial status and remains under Japanese colonial rule.
25 May 1912 – Princess Deokhye is born
Gojong’s daughter Deokhye is born. Her later life unfolds amid the restrictions placed on Korea’s former royal family.
21 January 1919 – Gojong dies
Gojong dies at Deoksugung Palace. Rumours circulate that he was poisoned, but this allegation has not been conclusively established.
1 March 1919 – Mass independence protests follow his death
Gojong’s death and the period of national mourning help provide the backdrop for the March First Movement, when demonstrators throughout Korea call for independence.