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56-659: During this period, Emperor Gojong oversaw the Gwangmu Reform , a partial modernization and westernization of Korea's military, economy, land system, education system, and various industries. In 1905, the Korean Empire became a protectorate of the Empire of Japan. After the Japanese annexation in 1910, the Korean Empire ceased to exist. Resistance against Korea having a tributary relationship with China increased in

112-573: A congress was held by the Independence Club , and the later part of the congress was Korean peoples autonomy. Its founders were Seo Jae-pil , Yun Chi-ho , and Lee Sang-jae . Manmingongdonghoi's vip members were Seo Jae-pil , Yu Gil-chun , Yun Chi-ho , Ahn Chang-ho , Lee Sang-jae , Syngman Rhee . Manmingongdongheo was first held on 1896. On 10 March 1897, they criticised the Russian intervention. Ten thousand Seoul citizens attended

168-460: A crisis when Japanese products were imported into the country and the enterprises lacked capital intensity. Although limited banking infrastructure existed, it was not able to adequately support economic development. Large Korean (South Korean) companies existing to this day such as Doosan and Korea Electric Power Corporation originated during the Imperial period. Nonetheless, the Korean Empire

224-418: A new constitution to gain public support, and an opportunity to start drastic reforms. He established Gyo Junso to manage the reformed constitution. The Gyo Junso included all factions of Korean, which impeded it from making notable achievements. The main conflict between the members was about the authority of the king. The Gyo Junso was dissolved in 1899, without having achieved success. In October 1897, Gojong

280-537: A period when modern companies. At the dawn of the Korean Empire, officials from Gaehwa Party such as Ahn Gyeong-su , Yun Chi-ho , and Yi Chae-yeon led the establishments of companies. However, as the absolute government of Gojong was established, those who were close to the Emperor including Yi Yong-ik , Min Young-hwan , and Yi Yun-yong were highly interested in the establishments of companies. Tax revenue of

336-715: A public electrical lighting network and an electric streetcar system was founded. Seoul Fresh Spring Water Company had an American connection as well. In 1902, six years after the first introduction of the telephone in Korea, the first long-distance public phone was installed. During the Gwangmu period, the industrial promotion policy was also conducted by the Korean government. It gave support to found technical and industrial schools. In that time, along with modernized weaving factories which were established to meet demand for textiles on

392-728: A representative of the Roosevelt Administration. Taft expressed in the memorandum that a suzerain relationship with Japan guiding Korea would "contribute to permanent peace in the Far East." In September 1905, Russia and Japan signed the Treaty of Portsmouth , ending the Russo-Japanese War and firmly establishing Japan's influence in Korea. Secret diplomatic contacts were sent by the Gwangmu Emperor in

448-552: A result, many Korean officials ended up losing their jobs. Under Terauchi Masatake , Japan prepared to annex Korea. After the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910 was signed on 22 August 1910, the Korean Empire was annexed. The annexation was announced on 29 August 1910. The Imperial Armed Forces ( 대한제국군 ) was the military of the Korean Empire. The Imperial Armed Forces were composed of the Imperial Korean Army and

504-517: A secret pact or agreement between the United States and Japan, but rather a set of notes regarding discussions on U.S.-Japanese relations between members of the governments of both countries. The Japanese Prime Minister Taro Katsura used the opportunity presented by Secretary of War William Howard Taft 's stopover in Tokyo to extract a statement from Taft on the Korean question, in his capacity as

560-411: A substantial number of cheonmin (low caste commoners), which mostly consisted of serfs and slaves, and untouchables , still did not. According to the new system, they were then required to fill in the blanks for surname in order to be registered as constituting separate households. Instead of creating their own family name, some cheonmins appropriated their masters’ surnames, while others simply took

616-549: The First Sino-Japanese War , Joseon won independence from the Qing dynasty . Proclaiming an empire was seen by many politicians as a good way to maintain independence. After Gojong of Korea returned from his exile in the Russian legation , many officials requested Gojong to proclaim an empire to strengthen the country, and build a firm framework as an independent state. Moreover, Gojong realized that Korea needed

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672-672: The Imperial Korean Navy . With the central and provincial armies, the Korean Imperial grew immensely to 28,000 before 1907. Succeeding the former Joseon Army and Navy , the Gwangmu Reform reorganized the military into a modern, Western-style one. Unlike in the Joseon dynasty, service was voluntary. It had a size of about 30,000, including soldiers and cadets. The military disbanded on August 1, 1907, due to

728-678: The Junchuwon , which was a westernized senate of the Korean Empire. In October 1898, the Independence Club made six requests to the emperor: However, the Sugu Party, which was in opposition to the Independence Party, spread false rumors that the club was attempting to depose the Emperor, establish a republic, and make Bak Jeongyang President with Yun Chi-ho as Vice President. Upon hearing this rumor, Gojong ordered

784-663: The Korean Empire as it felt held back from what other countries had achieved in their own process of Industrial Revolutions . It takes its name from Gojong , also known as the Gwangmu Emperor . The reforms that took place during the Gwangmu Era from 1897 to 1907 showed, in the long term, Korean potential for starting and achieving modernisation. This sort of development was unseen until the Chang Myon -era of

840-404: The cadastral survey project was launched by the Gwangmu government, aimed at modernizing the landownership system. In order to apply Western surveying methods, U.S. surveyors were hired. After the survey, a property title “Jigye”, showing the exact dimension of the land, were to be issued by the authorities. That reform was closely tied to reforms on the land tax system, which was conducted under

896-564: The 17th century. As the Ming dynasty was replaced by Qing dynasty , Western ideas entering Korea had caused anti-tributary sentiments to rise in Korea. Moreover, after the opening of Korea, members of Gaehwa Party often declared independence from China, but China increased its interference in Korean affairs after the Imo Incident and Gapsin Coup . However, following the Japanese victory in

952-467: The 1960s and 1970s. The Gwangmu reform later staged the fundamental background for future Korean development in infrastructure, reforming the economy and creating the nucleus of the modern bureaucracy and military. Following the collapse of the Gabo government proclaiming the abolition of the status system, the loyalists’ cabinet was formed in 1896. The new cabinet, which became the Gwangmu government after

1008-676: The Eulsa Treaty, but negotiations proceeded without him. There were eight ministers in the conference room. Prime Minister Han Kyu-seol , Minister of the Army Yi Geun-taek , Minister of the Interior Yi Ji-yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Je-sun , Minister of Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry Gwon Jung-hyeon, Minister of Finance Min Yeong-gi, and Minister of Justice Yi Ha-yeong were the Korean ministers in

1064-542: The Gwangmu period, modern secondary schools were opened by the Korean government as well, along with private secondary schools established by rich Korean civilians or Korean modern intellectuals. And several years later, modern higher education was first introduced to Korea: In 1904, the Jejungwon (Severance Hospital) in Seoul, added Severance Hospital Medical School and the attached School of Nursing. In 1905, Bosung College

1120-644: The Japan-Korea Treaty of 1907. Major Park Seung-hwan protested by committing suicide, sparking a revolt led by former imperial soldiers leading to the battle at Namdaemun Gate. Emperor Sunjong incorporated the remaining soldiers into the Imperial Guards until 1910, while others formed the foundations of the Righteous armies. Some modern enterprises emerged in the Korean Empire, including some hand-operated machinery. These enterprises faced

1176-620: The Japanese treaty negotiations, became the first Japanese Resident-General of Korea . In order to manifest the invalidity of the Eulsa Treaty, Gojong sent several secret embassies to plea for support. Korean secret diplomacy's first target was Russia. Koreans believed that Russia would help the Korean independence as several Koreans who fled to Shanghai after Japan–Korea Treaty of 1904 , such as Yi Hak-gyun , sent letters from former Russian minister to Korea Pavlov, which said that Japan would be withdrawn by Russian forces, and Russia would ensure Korean independence. Another response to Eulsa Treaty

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1232-423: The Korean Empire during 1895–1905: Annual expenditure of the Korean Empire during 1895–1905: 37°32′N 126°59′E  /  37.533°N 126.983°E  / 37.533; 126.983 Gwangmu Reform The Gwangmu Reform ( Korean :  광무개혁 ; Hanja :  光武改革 ; RR :  Gwangmu Gaehyeok ) was a collection of reforms that were aimed at modernizing and westernizing

1288-450: The Korean Empire that made the country richer and stronger. Moreover, land system reforms were initiated to establish a proper ownership of land. Under the leadership of Minister of Interior Bak Jeongyang , and Minister of Agriculture and Industry Yi Do-jae , land system reforms were purposed in June 1898. The new system not only included the land or house itself but also the surroundings of

1344-683: The United Kingdom formally commended Korea's declaration of neutrality. Later that year on August 22, the first treaty between Japan and Korea, known as the First Japan–Korea Convention , was signed. This allowed the creation of a Japanese garrison in Korea, the Japanese Korean Army . The Taft–Katsura Agreement (also known as the Taft–Katsura Memorandum) was issued on July 17, 1905. It was not actually

1400-624: The United States as an emissary in order to repudiate the treaty. In June 1906, Nicholas II secretly sent Gojong an invitation for the Hague Convention of 1907. He sent emissaries to the Hague in order to repudiate the Eulsa Treaty. However, the emissaries were not accorded recognition. The houses of Ye Wanyong were burned by the people and the Japanese Korean Army intervened to suppress public discontent. These acts against

1456-543: The conference room. Except for Han Kyu-seol, Min Yeoung-gi, and Yi Ha-yeong, all the ministers agreed with the treaty, which established a Japanese protectorate over Korea. After the treaty was signed, the Waebu , which was the ministry of foreign affairs, was dissolved. All of Korea's foreign affairs were now handled by Tokyo. Many embassies were recalled from Korea due to the treaty. On February 1, 1906, Itō Hirobumi , who led

1512-423: The congress. Within ten days, the Korean Empire government agreed to the decisions of Manmingongdonghoe and Russia conceded to Korean order. The congress grew more and more, and insisted on various rights of people and protection of concessions from the great Powers. Gojong ordered Lee Jong-gun , special officer of Gungnaebu to dissolve the joint but, Lee participated in it and became a member. first congress

1568-533: The domestic market, technological innovations in the field of weaving industry occurred in Korea. For instance, spinning and weaving machines were made for producing silk , so as to be substituted for high-cost machines from abroad. After Gojong proclaimed a new education law, elementary schools were established by the government. Along with these modern public schools , a number of Western-style schools, consisting of elementary and/or secondary education section(s), were established by Western missionaries. During

1624-480: The emperor, popular influence in politics increased from the Joseon era. Many newspapers such as Tongnip sinmun were established, promoting political awareness. Many organizations were established, including the Independence Club . Moreover, protests were not banned and people protested for reforms in Seoul. The Independence Club tried to bring many reforms to the country to improve civil rights. The club established

1680-618: The empire tried to protect its people. Jinwidae forces were deployed in Jiandao , where many Koreans lived. The new cabinet also wanted to establish a modern navy by buying ships with KIS Yangmu being the first ship to be bought, for only 451,605 won. The government tried to industrialize the country by sending many students abroad to study industry. Many new technologies were brought in to Korea and many companies were established. Formalizing land ownership records also enabled better land tax collection. These reforms were able to bring changes to

1736-477: The empire. The negative foreign response to the new empire was due to the independence of Korea from foreign influence, which had dominated its political and economic landscape. Among foreign nations, Qing showed their opposition most explicitly. They regarded the formation of the Korean Empire as a more embarrassing event than the loss of the First Sino-Japanese War . Eventually foreign monarchs acknowledged Gojong as an emperor. Even though all authority resided with

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1792-507: The establishment of the Korean Empire, introduced systematic measures for abolishing the traditional class system. One of these was the new household registration system, reflecting the goals of formal social equality , which was implemented by the loyalists’ cabinet. Whereas the old registration system signified household members according to their hierarchical social status, the new system called for an occupation. Although most Koreans by that time had surnames and even bongwan (clan name),

1848-467: The fall of 1905 to entities outside of Korea presenting Korea's desperate case to preserve their sovereignty, as normal diplomatic channels were no longer an option, due to the constant surveillance by the Japanese. Until 1905, the Korean Empire was advancing due to reforms. However, things changed after the Eulsa Treaty . Through numerous treaties, Japan isolated Korea. Emperor Gojong was opposed to

1904-525: The former members of the Independence Club. These officials tried to reform the country conservatively. The new cabinet formed with conservative politicians wanted to strengthen the power of the emperor. This required more taxes from the citizens. As a result, many minor taxes that were abolished by Gabo Reform were revived. These increased taxes enabled the Imperial Government to be rich enough to perform reform. The new cabinet also emphasized

1960-433: The immediate apprehension of members of the Independence Club . Among the 20 leaders of the club, 17 were arrested. Members of the Sugu Party wanted to execute these leaders, but the exile of President Yun Chi-ho led the party to focus on arresting Yun. On November 5, 1898, Gojong banned the club through an imperial decree. Moreover, he replaced ministers who had signed the six requests of the Independence Club. The new cabinet

2016-410: The independence of the country, leading to the enlargement of the Imperial Korean Army . Colonel Dmitry Putyata and some officers were sent from Russia to Korea. However, Putyata had conflicts with Min Young-hwan , who was the former ambassador to Russia. He returned to Russia on 26 November 1897 after assisting in the modernizing of the army. In 1898, 10 more battalions were formed. By sending troops,

2072-622: The land. This proposal was denied as only 4 out of 10 ministers assented with the proposal. However, when Gojong reviewed this cabinet conference, he ordered to proceed the land system reform just as the proposal. One of the key problems of the Korean Empire was its foreign affairs. Despite its official neutrality, the country had many policies that favored the Russian Empire . Russia frequently intervened in Korea and many of Korea's natural resources were sent to Russia. Historians are still unsure what Russia's real intentions were for Korea at

2128-533: The leadership of Yi Yong-ik , who also carried out monetary reforms in Korea. The project was interrupted due to the Russo-Japanese war of 1904 and 1905, after surveys were finished on about two-thirds of the entire land. During this period, modern urban infrastructure was built by the Gwangmu government. In 1898, the Gwangmu Emperor authorized the creation of joint ventures with American businessmen. In consequence, Hanseong Electric Company , operating

2184-399: The medical care sector. Licensing for herbal doctors and pharmacists was taken in order to control the quality of private practitioners. People%27s Joint Association The People's Joint Association was a mass organization started in 1897 of Korean independence activists in the Korean Empire . It was done as part of Independence Club . The first People's Joint Association was

2240-411: The most common surname and its bongwan in the local area. Along with this example, activists within and outside the Korean government had based their visions of a new relationship between the government and people through the concept of citizenship, employing the term Inmin (people), and later, Kukmin (citizen). During the Gwangmu period, Western-style official uniforms were introduced in Korea. At

2296-405: The period 1885–1910, a total of 796 schools, from elementary to college levels, were established and maintained by Western missionaries. This is a significant number in that it comprised about 35% of the entire number of formal schools (2,250) in the Korean Empire. The modern health care system in Korea had been formed for about 30 years since the country was opened to foreigners in 1876. Most of

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2352-711: The power: Shim Sang-hun as the Uijeongbu Chanjung, Yu Gi-hwan as the Minister, Min Young-gi as the Minister of Economy, Shin Gi-sun as the Minister of Education, Min Byeong-seok as the Minister of Military, and Yi Gi-dong as the 1st Siwi Regiment 1st Battalion commander. Furthermore, many Bobusangs were integrated into the officialdom, that 46 Bobusangs received position in the officialdom; this rise of Bobusangs

2408-548: The righteous armies. Many members of the righteous armies fled to Manchuria or to the rest of China to join the Independence Army. Another way that Japanese controlled Korea was implanting Japanese into the Korean officialdom. According to the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1907, Japanese who served as advisors for Korea were incorporated to the Korean central government. By 31 December 1908, 40.7 percent of all officials and 36.9 percent of high-ranking officials were Japanese. As

2464-563: The start, the Korean Emperor had begun to wear Prussian -style royal attire along with Korean diplomats, who wore Western suits. In 1900, Western attire became the official uniform for Korean civil officials. Several years later, all Korean soldiers and policemen were required to wear Western style uniforms. In the military sphere, the Military of the Korean Empire as it existed in the early 1890s consisted of about 5,000 soldiers and

2520-469: The system had been achieved during the Gwangmu Reform period directed by the emperor and his followers. The new system consisted of three sectors: public health, medical care, and monitoring of private practitioners and drug-sellers. The Sanitary Board was set to provide systematic public health care such as vaccination , sanitation and quarantine and the police were created to enforce many sanitary affairs. Hospitals for Western medicine were established in

2576-517: The terms of the treaty led to the abdication of Gojong, who was succeeded by Sunjong on 19 July 1907. After Sunjong became emperor, the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907 was signed. Under the treaty, more Japanese were employed in the Korean government and started to intervene in Korean affairs more. Forces of General Hasegawa garrisoned the palace. Some regiments of the Imperial Korean Army were disarmed. The Pyongyang Jinwidae , which

2632-671: The time. According to a dispatch sent from Shanghai, Russia tried to make the Korean Empire a protectorate of the Russian Empire. But Czar Nicholas II himself did not desire colonizing Korea. In 1901, Nicholas told Prince Henry of Prussia , "I do not want to seize Korea but under no circumstances can I allow Japan to become firmly established there. That will be a casus belli." Before the Russo-Japanese War , Korea tried to show her neutrality to different Western countries. On 27 January 1904, Russia, France, Germany, and

2688-470: Was Independence Club also latter part congress was Korean peoples autonomy. On 12 October, the congress succeed in founding a reform-minded government composed of innovative officials such as Mihn Yong-hwan and Park Jeong-yang . The new government agreed to establish a national assembly . However pro-Russians and conservatives who hated Manmingongdonghoe, spread a rumor that the congress will revolt and expel Emperor Gojong . Gojong surprised and ordered

2744-440: Was a torment for commoners who suffered from their tyranny as local officials. Even though the Independence Club was banned, reforms were not stopped and the Gwangmu Reform continued. Conservative or left of center Politicians such as Min Young-hwan , Han Kyu-seol , Yi Yong-ik , Shim Soon-taek , Yun Ung-nyeol , and Shim Sang-hun led the reforms. Among these ministers, Yun Ung-nyeol . Yi Yong-ik and Shim Sang-hun were hated by

2800-450: Was able to have good economic growth. The GDP per capita of the Korean Empire was $ 850 in 1900, which was 26th highest in the world and 2nd highest in Asia. The economic progress of the Korean Empire was reflected in a secret report that Hayashi Gonsuke sent to Aoki Shūzō , indicating that the Korean Empire was becoming an economic participant on the global stage. Era of Korean Empire was

2856-605: Was committing suicide. Yi Han-eung and Min Young-hwan are examples for such resistance. Many joined the righteous armies and some even attempted to assassinate the five Korean ministers who consented to the treaty also known as the Five Eulsa Traitors . Often the Gojong of Korea himself led the resistance. He sent many messages to European monarchs such as Wilhelm II , George V , Nicholas II , etc. He sent Homer Hulbert , an American missionary and journalist, to

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2912-459: Was crowned in Hwangudan . The coronation included both Western style coronation and a traditional Asian one. Gojong named the new empire Daehan and changed the regnal year to Gwangmu , with 1897 being the first year of Gwangmu . Gojong implemented the constitution of the country in 1898, which gave the whole authority to the emperor. At first, most nations did not accept the proclamation of

2968-815: Was established under Yi Yong-ik, Chief of the Imperial Treasury: the Commerce Department and the Law Department were the first two departments of the college. The Soongsil Academy, started at Pyongyang in 1897, had opened a college in 1905 and was authorized as the Soongsil University by the Korean government in 1907. Under the Education Ordinance of 1911 issued by Japanese Governor-General of Korea , however, these institutions lost its college status. During

3024-749: Was formed with many conservative politicians who were more conservative compared to the members of the Independence Club. Another part of reform under Korean Empire was military reform. Both conservatives and the progressives agreed with strengthening military. However, they faced obstacles as the Gabo Reform seriously weakened Korean armed forces. Right after dissolving the Independence Club and People's Joint Association by force, Gojong sought to design his new cabinet with conservative politicians. Liberal officials, such as Min Young-hwan , Han Kyu-seol , Yi Hak-gyun , and Yi Jong-geon , received their dismissal, while conservative counterparts experienced rise to

3080-472: Was increased to an immense amount of 28,000 right before the Russo-Japanese War . Training by Russian officers beginning in 1896 led to the organization of a 1,000-strong royal bodyguard armed with Berdan rifles that served as the core of an improved army. From this core unit, soldiers were sometimes transferred to other units, which included five regiments of about 900 men each. Moreover, the reform equipped personnels with western military uniforms. In 1897,

3136-414: Was the elite unit of the Imperial Korean Army, was disarmed. Starting this reduction of Jinwidae, many regiments of the Imperial Korean Army were dissolved starting from 31 July 1907. These Japanese interventions fueled the righteous armies and various local peasant militias to fight against the Japanese. These righteous armies fought against Japan with little success. From 1909, the Japanese suppressed all of

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