Joseon Dynasty

The Joseon Dynasty (alternatively, Choson or Chosun) was the final ruling dynasty of Korea, lasting from 1392 until 1910. It was founded by the Jeonju Yi family, and was preceded by the Goryeo dynasty.

Japanese occupation

In a complicated series of manoeuvres and counter-manoeuvres, Japan pushed back the Russian fleet at the Battle of Port Arthur in 1905. Both the fleets of China and Russia had given Korea sufficient protection to prevent a direct invasion, but this ambuscade of the Russian fleet gave Japan free reign over north China, and Korea was left at the mercy of the new regional naval power: Japan.

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Korea became a protectorate of Japan in 1895 when Japan forced Emperor Gojong of Korea to abdicate his throne and assassinated his wife, Empress Min of Joseon. Japan annexed the country in 1910 and Korea became a Japanese colony.

Related Topics:
Protectorate - Gojong of Korea - Empress Min of Joseon - Colony

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The event is recalled both in books and at the historical site itself, (Cheong'duk Palace in Seoul), with a monument. Queen Min's brutal murder — she was stabbed repeatedly, cut into pieces, desecrated, and thrown into a fish pond — didn't shock the world powers as it should have: the events were not known widely for decades because of the suppression of journalism and the sacking and looting of Seoul, which was occurring at the same time.

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