A Kingdom in Crisis: Korea’s Precarious Position

In the winter of 1896, Korea—officially the Joseon Dynasty—found itself caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war between imperial powers. The assassination of Queen Min the previous October by Japanese-backed forces had left King Gojong virtually imprisoned in his own palace, surrounded by a pro-Japanese cabinet. Japan, fresh from its victory in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), sought to consolidate control over Korea through political manipulation and military intimidation. Meanwhile, Russia emerged as a counterbalance, with King Gojong and his supporters viewing St. Petersburg as their last hope for sovereignty.

This volatile backdrop set the stage for one of the most dramatic episodes in late 19th-century East Asian diplomacy: the “Russian Legation Refuge” (俄馆播迁), where King Gojong and the crown prince fled their palace to seek protection under the tsarist flag.

The Unraveling of Japanese Judicial Farce

The immediate catalyst for the king’s flight lay in Japan’s blatant disregard for justice following the murder of Queen Min. On January 14, 1896, a military tribunal in Hiroshima acquitted Lieutenant Colonel Kusunose and others involved in the attack. Days later, a civilian court dismissed charges against Viscount Miura Goro and 43 co-conspirators for “lack of evidence.” These verdicts, widely perceived as a sham, confirmed Korean suspicions that Tokyo would never hold its agents accountable.

Russian diplomats in Seoul, particularly Acting Chargé d’Affaires Karl Ivanovich Weber and his successor Alexis de Speyer, documented the outrage. In a coded telegram to St. Petersburg on January 27, Speyer warned:

“The king awaits our help to restore his authority… The Japanese oppression is universally detested. To rescue Korea from murderous ministers installed by Japan, His Majesty implores Russia to raise a strong voice.”

Speyer even requested troop deployments to match Japan’s garrison—a plea that revealed the desperation of Korea’s monarch.

The Flight to Freedom: February 11, 1896

With his life in peril, Gojong orchestrated a daring escape. Through intermediaries like pro-Russian official Lee Beom-jin, he arranged to seek asylum at the Russian Legation. Preparations were meticulous:

– Military Escalation: On February 10, Russia reinforced the legation with 107 armed sailors and artillery from the cruiser Admiral Kornilov.
– The Escape: At dawn on February 11, the king and crown prince slipped past palace guards hidden in sedan chairs—a ruse enabled by loyal court ladies and a sympathetic officer. They entered through a side gate, where Speyer greeted them.

Colonel Korniev’s firsthand account captures the tension: “Without the courage of the royal attendants, escape would have been impossible under such surveillance.”

Political Earthquake: Purges and Power Shifts

From his new sanctuary, Gojong struck back. His first decree branded six pro-Japanese officials—including Jo Ui-yeon and U Beom-seon—as traitors to be executed. He then appointed a new cabinet dominated by conservative reformers like Lee Wan-yong, signaling a pivot toward Russia.

The Japanese reaction was swift and brutal:
– Assassinations: Pro-Japanese Prime Minister Kim Hong-jip and Agriculture Minister Jeong Byeong-ha were lynched by police, their bodies displayed in Seoul’s streets.
– Diplomatic Theater: When Japanese envoy Komura Jutarō met Gojong at the legation, both men maintained icy composure. Komura’s report downplayed the crisis, but the message was clear: Japan’s grip on Korea had fractured.

The Ripple Effects: Sovereignty and Great-Power Rivalry

The refuge reshaped regional dynamics:
– Russian Ascendancy: For over a year, Gojong ruled from the legation, granting Russia mining and timber concessions. Speyer boasted of a “peaceful coup accomplished under our moral authority.”
– Japan’s Long Game: Tokyo bided its time, using the interlude to strengthen ties with Britain (via the 1902 Anglo-Japanese Alliance) before decisively defeating Russia in 1905.
– Korean Identity: The event galvanized nationalist movements, illustrating both the monarchy’s vulnerability and the people’s resistance to foreign domination.

Legacy: A Pivotal Moment Forgotten

Though overshadowed by Japan’s eventual colonization (1910–1945), the Russian Legation Refuge remains a poignant symbol:
– Diplomatic Precedent: It marked the first time a monarch sought asylum in a foreign mission—a tactic later echoed by figures like the Dalai Lama.
– Modern Parallels: Contemporary South Korea’s vigilance against foreign interference traces back to this era of lost autonomy.

In the end, Gojong’s gambit bought temporary respite but underscored a harsh truth: For Korea, the late 19th century was less about self-determination than surviving the ambitions of empires.