The Tumultuous Backdrop of Late Joseon Korea

The year 1895 marked a critical juncture in Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, as the kingdom found itself caught between domestic power struggles and the competing imperial ambitions of Japan, China, and Russia. The political landscape was dominated by two factions: the conservative pro-Chinese group led by the Daewongun (the former regent and king’s father), and the reformist pro-Japanese faction. This volatile situation erupted into crisis following the shocking assassination of Kim Hak-u, a moderate official, by Lee Jun-yong—grandson of the Daewongun—in October 1894.

Lee, serving as Deputy Interior Minister after Japanese forces stormed the royal palace, had been orchestrating plans to depose Queen Min and restore his grandfather’s influence. When Kim Hak-u openly opposed these schemes, Lee arranged his murder. The subsequent arrest and trial of Lee in April 1895 exposed deeper tensions, revealing secret communications between the Daewongun’s faction, the Donghak peasant rebels, and Qing Chinese generals—contacts facilitated by Lee himself.

The Assassination Scandal and Its Political Fallout

The arrest of Lee Jun-yong on April 18, 1895, sent shockwaves through the Korean court. Reformist leader Park Yeong-hyo demanded execution, but Japanese diplomat Inoue Kaoru intervened, resulting in Lee’s sentence being commuted to ten years’ exile on May 13. This judicial leniency reflected Japan’s precarious position—while Inoue had initially exposed the Daewongun’s secret dealings, he now sought to avoid destabilizing the pro-Japanese faction’s tenuous hold on power.

Meanwhile, international pressures mounted. The Triple Intervention of April 23—where Russia, Germany, and France forced Japan to relinquish its gains from the First Sino-Japanese War—dramatically shifted perceptions in Seoul. Russia’s newfound prestige weakened Japan’s influence, emboldening anti-Japanese factions. By mid-May, Park Yeong-hyo maneuvered to control military and police affairs, ousting War Minister Jo Ui-yeon on May 17. When Prime Minister Kim Hong-jip opposed these actions, King Gojong accepted his resignation along with other senior officials, leaving a power vacuum that even Inoue couldn’t fill.

Japan’s Strategic Retreat from Korea

As Korea’s political crisis deepened, Japan’s leadership grappled with its diminishing influence. Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu, recognizing the untenable situation, pushed for a policy shift at the May 25 cabinet meeting. The resulting resolution marked a stark reversal: Japan would “refrain from interference” and promote Korean self-rule, abandoning earlier plans to control Korean infrastructure.

This retreat became evident in Inoue’s July 1 memorandum to Acting Foreign Minister Saionji Kinmochi. The document outlined four key concessions:
1. Debt Relief: Proposing forgiveness or restructuring of Korea’s 300-million-yen debt
2. Railway Development: Suggesting Korean-led construction of the Seoul-Incheon line with Japanese technical support
3. Telecommunications: Recommending return of key telegraph lines to Korean control
4. Military Presence: Advocating for formal Korean approval of Japanese garrison troops

These recommendations, though pragmatic, reflected Japan’s waning dominance. The memorandum’s tone conveyed Inoue’s frustration—his reform initiatives had failed, and further coercion risked alienating Korea entirely.

Cultural and Diplomatic Repercussions

The 1895 crisis reshaped Korean perceptions of foreign powers. Russia’s assertive role in the Triple Intervention created lasting impressions of Russian strength, while Japan’s authority eroded rapidly. Domestically, the scandal exposed the brutality of factional politics, with assassination becoming a tool for eliminating opposition.

The power vacuum also accelerated the decline of China’s traditional suzerainty. With Qing influence waning after their defeat by Japan, and Japan itself pulling back, Korea entered a dangerous period of great-power rivalry that would culminate in the 1895 assassination of Queen Min and, ultimately, Japanese annexation in 1910.

Legacy: The Unraveling of Korean Sovereignty

The events of 1895 proved a turning point. Japan’s temporary retreat created space for Russian influence to grow, setting the stage for later conflicts like the Russo-Japanese War. The political instability demonstrated the Joseon court’s inability to navigate imperial pressures, while the culture of political violence foreshadowed Queen Min’s murder later that year.

Historically, this period reveals the limits of Japan’s early colonial ambitions and the tragic vulnerability of Korea in the age of empire. The crisis also underscores how personal vendettas—like Lee Jun-yong’s fateful decision to assassinate Kim Hak-u—could alter the course of international relations in Northeast Asia.

For modern readers, this episode serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of domestic politics and foreign intervention—a dynamic still relevant in global affairs today. The 1895 crisis reminds us that moments of geopolitical transition often hinge not just on treaties and armies, but on individual actions, miscalculations, and the unpredictable tides of history.