When Japan Sent Assassins To Kill The Empress

명성황후, 1851 - 1895

Defiant to the end: 명성황후 (Empress Myeongseong), the empress who faced death with courage.

명성황후

명성황후 (Empress Myeongseong), born 민자영 (Min Ja-young) in 1851, was the wife of 고종 (King Gojong) and the last queen of the Joseon Dynasty. Her life and death are documented in various historical texts, including the 『고종실록』 (Annals of King Gojong).

명성황후’s letter written in Cursive Hangul

Historical records present conflicting views of Empress Myeongseong. Some portray her as a powerful and intelligent reformer who sought to modernize Korea, while others depict her as a corrupt figure who misused her influence. Her efforts to balance foreign powers and push for modernization made her both influential and controversial. Her tragic assassination by Japanese agents in 1895, known as the Eulmi Incident, marked a turning point in Korean history.

After Japan's victory in the Sino-Japanese War, it sought to strengthen its control over Joseon and monopolize economic benefits. Empress Myeongseong, in an effort to counter Japanese aggression, attempted to align Joseon with Russia and expel Japanese influence. This strategic move angered the Japanese government, which then orchestrated her assassination.

Now, I welcome you to the story of 명성황후 - a woman who rose from nobility to become a key figure in Korea's turbulent transition to the modern era.

Let the story begin...