-
Cause: Treaty Of Ganghwa
Cause: Heungseon Daewongun was overthrown by Empress Myeongseong, who instituted a policy of closing doors to European powers. Due to this, France and the United States had already made several unsuccessful attempts to begin trade with the Joseon Dynasty. During this time of political instability, Japan developed a plan to open and exert influence on Korea before another European power could. 1875, their plan was put to action. Small japanese warship under the command of Inoue Yoshika, was dispa -
Event: Treaty of Ganghwa
Event: On Sept 20, when a small boat appeared near Korean borders, Korean forts opened fire. The Un'yo brought its superior firepower to bear and silenced the Korean guns. Then it attacked another Korean port and withdrew back to Japan. With this incident, japan employed the gunboat diplomacy to press Korea to sign this unequal treaty which stated that Korea opened three ports to Japanese trade. (Busan, Incheon, Wonsan) -
Effect: Treaty of Ganghwa
Effect: The treaty granted Japanese many of the same rights in Korea that westerners enjoyed in japan, such as extraterritoriality. Which this signing of this unequal treaty, Korea became yet another easy hunt for many imperialistic powers and this weakness later led Korea to be annexed by Japan. With this incident, Korea was no longer a protectorate of China and opened three ports to Japanese trade.Imo Incident -
Cause: Imo Incident
Cause: Dissatisfaction with the Korean government is the main focus of the violence among the followers of Heungseon Daewongun, the ruler of Korea who had been challenged by the supporters of Empress Myeongseong and forced into retirement. They were very angry about this. -
Event: Imo Incident
Event: The followers of Heungseon Daewongun, staged a coup against the Empress and her allies. Daewongun’s forces, or the ‘old military’ killed Japanese officers in charge of training the New Korean amry and attacked the japanese force. -
Effect: Imo Incident
Effect: Daewongun was restored power, but was forcibly taken to China by Chinese troops to prevent any further disorder and in August of 1882, the Korean government sent a mission to Japan, agreeing to the stationing of Japanese troops to guard the legation in Seoul. -
Cause: Gapsin Coup
Cause: The struggle between Heungseon Daewongun’s followers and those of Empress Myeonseong was further complicated. While the former sought Japan’s support, the latter sought China’s. -
Event: Gapsin Coup
Event: On 4 December 1884, a Korean independence group, attempted a coup and established a pro-Japanese government under the reigning king. However, some conservative Korean officials requested the help of Chinese forces stationed in korea resulting in the coup being put down by Chinese troop. A Korean mob killed both japanese officer and residents. -
Effect: Gapsin Coup
Effect: Japan-Korea treaty of 1885 (Treaty of Hangseong) was signed. It restored diplomatic relations and Korea agreed to pay Japan 110,000 Yen. -
Cause: First Sino-Japanese war
Cause: Outbreak of the Donghak Peasant Revolution changed Japanese policy toward Korea. The Korean government had asked for Chinese assistance in ending the revolt and Japanese leaders decided to challenge China. When China sent troops into Korea, Japan responded by sending its own troops. -
Event: First Sino Japanese War
Event: Japan won the first Sino-Japanese War, and China signed the Treaty of Shimonosekin in 1895. -
Effect: First Sino Japanese War
Effect: Ended Korea’s tributary relationship with the Chinese Qing Dynaty, leading to the proclamation of fully independence of Joseon Korea in 1895. -
Event: Assassination of Empress Myeongseong
Event: According to a Russian eyewitness, Seredin Sabatin, an employee of the Korean king, a group of Japanese agents entered the Gyoengbok palace and killed Empress Myeongseong and desecrated her body in the north wing of the palace. Also called, 을미사변. -
Cause: Assassination of Empress Myeongseong
Cause: The Japanese minister to Korea, Miura Goro, directed a plot against Empress Myeongseong and on 8 October 1895, she was assassinated by Japanese agents. -
Effect: Assassination of Empress Myeongseong
Effect: On 11 Feb 1896, King Gojong and the crown prince moved from Gyeongbokgung palace to the Russian legation in Jeongdong, Seoul, from where they governed for one year, an event known as the Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation. We call this one-year exile in Russian embassy 아관파천, which is another national humiliation for Koreans.
