Modern
The age of port openings and the Korean Empire. A turbulent time when efforts at modernization, foreign encroachment and resistance collided.
- 1876년
Treaty of Ganghwa
An unequal treaty with Japan opened ports such as Busan, marking the beginning of the modern era.
- 1882년
Korea–United States Treaty of 1882
The first treaty between Joseon and a Western power, concluded through Qing mediation. It included "good offices" and most-favored-nation clauses but was unequal in granting consular jurisdiction; it opened the way to treaties with Britain, Germany, Russia, and others.
Related figures: Emperor Gojong
- 1882년
Imo Mutiny
Old-guard soldiers staged a mutiny to protest discriminatory treatment and unpaid wages; Heungseon Daewongun briefly returned to power but was suppressed after the intervention of Qing troops.
Related figures: Heungseon Daewongun, Emperor Gojong, Empress Myeongseong (Queen Min)
- 1882년
Treaty of Jemulpo
Following the Imo Mutiny, Japan demanded reparations and an apology from Joseon, resulting in this treaty. It allowed Japanese guards to be stationed at the Japanese legation, strengthening Japan's military interference.
Related figures: Emperor Gojong
- 1884년
Gapsin Coup
Radical reformers including Kim Okgyun staged a coup during the opening celebration of the postal service, aiming for a modern state, but it failed within three days after Qing military intervention.
Related figures: Kim Okgyun, Bak Yeonghyo, Seo Jaepil (Philip Jaisohn)
- 1884~1885년
Treaties of Hanseong and Tianjin
After the failure of the Gapsin Coup, Joseon signed the Treaty of Hanseong with Japan to pay reparations, while Qing and Japan concluded the Treaty of Tianjin, agreeing to withdraw their troops from Korea and to notify each other before any future dispatch. This later became the pretext for both powers sending troops simultaneously.
Related figures: Kim Okgyun
- 1885년
Port Hamilton Incident (Geomundo Incident)
A British naval fleet illegally occupied Geomundo (Port Hamilton) in South Jeolla Province under the pretext of checking Russian southward expansion. The incident illustrated how the Korean Peninsula had become an arena for great-power rivalry.
- 1894년
Donghak Peasant Movement
Led by Jeon Bong-jun, peasants rose under the banner of anti-feudalism and anti-foreign aggression, at one point seizing Jeonju Fortress.
Related figures: Jeon Bongjun (Nokdu Janggun), Choe Sihyeong, Kim Gaenam, Son Hwajung
- 1894년
Gabo Reforms
Centered on the Deliberative Council (Gungukgimucheo), modern institutional reforms were pursued, including the abolition of the hereditary status system and the civil service examination.
Related figures: Kim Hongjip, Emperor Gojong
- 1894년~
First Sino-Japanese War
China and Japan, both having sent troops to Korea under the pretext of suppressing the Donghak uprising, clashed over the peninsula and Manchuria. Victorious Japan gained the Liaodong Peninsula and Taiwan through the Treaty of Shimonoseki and tightened its grip on Korea.
- 1895년
Assassination of the Queen
Japanese assassins entered Gyeongbokgung Palace and murdered Empress Myeongseong.
Related figures: Empress Myeongseong (Queen Min)
- 1896년
Founding of the Independence Club and Launch of the Dongnip Sinmun
Seo Jae-pil and others founded the Dongnip Sinmun (The Independent) newspaper and the Independence Club, advocating national independence and civil rights, and erected the Independence Gate where the Chinese envoy had once been received.
Related figures: Seo Jaepil (Philip Jaisohn)
- 1896년
Royal Flight to the Russian Legation (Agwanpacheon)
Fearing for his safety after the Eulmi Incident, King Gojong took refuge in the Russian legation. This brought a pro-Russian cabinet to power and intensified the great powers' encroachment on Korean economic concessions.
Related figures: Emperor Gojong
- 1897년
Korean Empire proclaimed
Gojong ascended as emperor and proclaimed the sovereign Korean Empire (at Hwangudan altar).
Related figures: Emperor Gojong
- 1904년~
Russo-Japanese War
Japan and Russia went to war over control of Korea and Manchuria. Japan forced the Korea-Japan Protocol to use Joseon as a military base, and after its victory secured international recognition of its exclusive dominance over Korea through the Treaty of Portsmouth.
- 1904년
Korea–Japan Protocol and First Korea–Japan Convention
During the Russo-Japanese War, Japan forced the Korea-Japan Protocol to use Joseon's strategic sites at will, then imposed the First Korea-Japan Convention, installing Japanese-recommended financial and diplomatic advisers and beginning so-called rule by advisers.
Related figures: Emperor Gojong
- 1905년
Eulsa Treaty
A forced treaty stripping Korea of diplomatic sovereignty. Righteous armies and suicide protests arose across the country.
Related figures: Min Yeonghwan
- 1907년
Dispatch of Secret Envoys to the Hague
King Gojong sent Yi Sang-seol, Yi Jun, and Yi Wi-jong to the Hague Peace Conference to expose the injustice of the Eulsa Treaty, but Japan blocked their participation in the conference.
Related figures: Emperor Gojong, Yi Sangseol
- 1907년
Formation of the Sinminhoe and Forced Abdication of King Gojong
Ahn Chang-ho, Sin Chae-ho, and others founded the secret society Sinminhoe to pursue the restoration of national sovereignty, while Japan used the Hague Affair as a pretext to force King Gojong to abdicate.
Related figures: Ahn Changho (Dosan), Sin Chaeho, Emperor Gojong, Emperor Sunjong
- 1907년
Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907 and Disbandment of the Army
Just after forcing Emperor Gojong's abdication, Japan imposed the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1907, installing Japanese vice-ministers in every government department and seizing control of internal affairs. It then disbanded the Korean imperial army; the dismissed soldiers joined the righteous armies, spreading the Jeongmi uprising nationwide.
Related figures: Emperor Gojong, Emperor Sunjong
- 1909년
Japan–Korea Memorandum of 1909
A memorandum by which Japan stripped the Korean Empire of its judicial and prison authority, transferring them to the Resident-General. It marked the final stage of the loss of sovereignty, leading the next year to the seizure of police power and annexation.
Related figures: Emperor Sunjong
- 1909년
Gando Convention (Jiandao Agreement)
With the Korean Empire's diplomatic rights already seized, Japan concluded an agreement with Qing China recognizing Gando (Jiandao) as Qing territory in exchange for railway-construction and mining rights in Manchuria, a deal between powers that handed over Gando regardless of Korea's own claims.
- 1909년
An Jung-geun's act
At Harbin, An Jung-geun executed Itō Hirobumi, the mastermind of the invasion.
Related figures: Ahn Junggeun
- 1910년
Annexation by Japan
Japan forcibly seized Korea's sovereignty, ending the Korean Empire.