The Political Powder Keg of 19th-Century Korea

The late 19th century was a period of intense imperial rivalry in East Asia, with Korea—then known as Joseon—caught between the competing interests of Japan, China, and Russia. Empress Myeongseong (commonly referred to as Queen Min) emerged as a central figure in this geopolitical struggle. As the consort of King Gojong, she wielded significant influence, advocating for modernization while resisting Japanese encroachment. Her opposition to Japan’s expansionist policies made her a target, particularly as Japan sought to diminish Russian influence in Korea following the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895).

The political climate grew increasingly volatile. The pro-Japanese faction, led by figures like Daewongun (the king’s father), clashed with the empress’s faction. Meanwhile, the Japanese legation in Seoul, under Minister Miura Gorō, viewed her as an obstacle to their ambitions. By October 1895, tensions reached a breaking point.

The Conspiracy and Brutal Execution

On October 5, 1895, Miura dispatched Okamoto Ryūnosuke to Daewongun’s residence, subtly probing his willingness to collaborate in a coup. Though Daewongun’s response was ambiguous, Miura accelerated his plans upon learning that the Korean Training Unit (a military force with Japanese ties) faced imminent dissolution.

The operation unfolded with chilling precision:
– October 7, Evening: Under the guise of a diplomatic dinner, Miura masked his intentions while armed operatives gathered near Seoul’s Namsan.
– Midnight: Okamoto and a team coerced Daewongun into joining their plot, escorting him to Gyeongbokgung Palace by palanquin.
– October 8, Pre-Dawn: A force of 40 Japanese nationals, alongside the Training Unit, stormed the palace. They overpowered guards, killing loyalists like Hong Gye-hun, the unit’s commander.

The assailants ransacked the queen’s quarters, murdering three women—one confirmed as Empress Myeongseong. Her body was burned in a pine grove, and incriminating letters (pleading for Russian support) were seized. Eyewitness accounts, including that of Russian architect Afanasy Seredin-Sabatin, detailed the horror: Japanese agents, some in civilian attire, dragged宫女 (court ladies) by their hair, demanding the queen’s whereabouts.

International Outrage and Diplomatic Fallout

The assassination sparked immediate condemnation:
– Russian Intervention: Minister Karl Weber confronted Miura, accusing Japan of orchestrating a “crime without precedent in world history.”
– Cover-Up Attempts: Tokyo initially feigned ignorance, with newspapers parroting Miura’s fabricated narrative of a “Korean-led revolt.”
– Forced Humiliation: King Gojong, under duress, signed a decree posthumously demoting the empress to commoner status—a move that deepened anti-Japanese sentiment.

A multinational commission exposed Japan’s culpability, leading to Miura’s recall and a token trial (all defendants were acquitted). The backlash forced Japan to temporarily withdraw troops, but the damage was irreversible.

Legacy: Trauma and National Identity

The assassination had profound cultural and political repercussions:
– Korean Resistance: The brutality galvanized the Korean independence movement, fueling the 1896 “King’s Flight” to the Russian legation and later anti-colonial struggles.
– Historical Memory: Empress Myeongseong became a symbol of sovereignty, revered in modern South Korea. The site of her murder is now a memorial.
– Japan’s Imperial Trajectory: The impunity emboldened Japan’s annexation of Korea in 1910, setting the stage for decades of occupation.

Modern Reflections

The event remains a flashpoint in Korea-Japan relations. Recent disputes over historical narratives, including Japanese textbooks downplaying the assassination, underscore its unresolved legacy. For Koreans, it epitomizes the perils of foreign intervention; for historians, it marks a critical juncture in East Asia’s colonial era—a crime that reshaped a nation’s destiny.

The murder of Empress Myeongseong was not merely a regicide but a calculated strike against Korean autonomy, leaving wounds that endure in collective memory and diplomatic tensions today.