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.
Key developments 5 - 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)Key developments 4 - 1883년
The Taegeukgi Flag and Modern Institutions
The Taegeukgi was adopted as the national flag, the Bakmunguk office issued Korea's first modern newspaper Hanseong Sunbo, the Bobingsa mission was sent to the United States, and the Jeonhwanguk mint began issuing modern currency.
Key developments 4 - 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)Key developments 4 - 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.
Key developments 4 - 1885년
The Dawn of Modern Medicine and Education
At Horace Allen's proposal, Gwanghyewon (soon renamed Jejungwon), Korea's first Western hospital, was founded, while Protestant missionaries opened modern schools such as Baejae Hakdang and Ewha Hakdang, marking the start of modern medicine and education.
Key developments 4 - 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 HwajungKey developments 5 - 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 GojongKey developments 4 - 1895년
Assassination of the Queen
Japanese assassins entered Gyeongbokgung Palace and murdered Empress Myeongseong.
Related figures: Empress Myeongseong (Queen Min)Key developments 3 - 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)Key developments 5 - 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 GojongKey developments 4 - 1897년
Korean Empire proclaimed
Gojong ascended as emperor and proclaimed the sovereign Korean Empire (at Hwangudan altar).
Related figures: Emperor GojongKey developments 4 - 1898년
The Manmin Joint Assembly
The Manmin Joint Assembly, a mass civic gathering led by the Independence Club, convened and adopted the Six Articles at the Gwanmin Joint Assembly, demanding sovereignty and civil rights, but the club was disbanded under government suppression.
Key developments 3 - 1899년
The Gyeongin Line and Modern Transport
The Gyeongin Line, Korea's first railway connecting Noryangjin and Jemulpo, opened, and streetcars appeared in Seoul, beginning modern transportation and transforming the face of the city.
Key developments 3 - 1904년
The Russo–Japanese War and the Korea–Japan Protocol
Russia and Japan fought the Russo–Japanese War over control of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria, and Japan forced the Korea–Japan Protocol and the First Korea–Japan Convention, installing advisory rule and eroding the sovereignty of the Korean Empire.
Key developments 3 - 1905년
Eulsa Treaty
A forced treaty stripping Korea of diplomatic sovereignty. Righteous armies and suicide protests arose across the country.
Related figures: Min YeonghwanKey developments 5 - 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 SangseolKey developments 3 - 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 SunjongKey developments 4 - 1907년
The National Debt Repayment Movement
Beginning in Daegu with the call to repay the nation's debt to Japan through the people's own effort, the National Debt Repayment Movement spread nationwide through quitting tobacco and donating valuables, but was ultimately thwarted by the Resident-General's interference.
Key developments 3 - 1908년
Founding of the Oriental Development Company
The Oriental Development Company, a state-backed firm established by imperial Japan to plunder Korea's land and resources, was founded and became a conduit for large-scale land seizure and Japanese immigration.
Key developments 3 - 1909년
An Jung-geun's act
At Harbin, An Jung-geun executed Itō Hirobumi, the mastermind of the invasion.
Related figures: Ahn JunggeunKey developments 4 - 1910년
Annexation by Japan
Japan forcibly seized Korea's sovereignty, ending the Korean Empire.
Key developments 3