Heungseon Daewongun

Heungseon Daewongun was a key political figure of late Joseon Korea. He was the fourth son of Yi Chae-jung, a member of the royal family who in 1816 was given the name Yi Gu and the title Prince Namyeon. The Daewongun was a 9th generation descendant of King Injo through Grand Prince Inpyeong. He was well-schooled in Confucianism and the Chinese classics. He reputedly excelled in calligraphy and painting. His early government career consisted of minor posts that were mostly honorary and ceremonial. For most of his early life, his connection to the royal house seemed of little help to him. He was poor and humiliated by the rich in-laws of the royal house. In 1852, he married Lady Min, who later became Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok. They had three sons, the eldest of whom died in infancy. The second son, Yi Myeong-bok, was adopted by King Cheoljong, who had no heir, and became King Gojong in 1863. The third son, Yi Jae-myeon, was also adopted by a relative and became Prince Waneun. The Daewongun also had an illegitimate son, Yi Jae-sun, who later became Prince Imperial Heungchin. The Daewongun became the regent for his son Gojong, who was only 12 years old when he ascended the throne. He exercised absolute power and initiated a series of reforms to strengthen the monarchy and modernize the country. He also pursued a policy of isolationism and resisted foreign influence, especially from China and Japan. He ordered the persecution of Catholics and the expulsion of foreign missionaries. He also led the defense against the French invasion of Ganghwa Island in 1866 and the United States expedition to Korea in 1871. He was a patron of the arts and culture, and supported the development of science and technology. He built several palaces and temples, and commissioned many paintings and sculptures. He also wrote poems and essays under the pen name Seokpa. He was known for his strong personality and charisma, as well as his cruelty and ruthlessness. He had many enemies and rivals, both within and outside the court. He was eventually ousted from power in 1873 by the coup d'état of the reformist faction led by Kim Ok-gyun and Park Gyeong-hyo, who favored opening up to the West and modernizing Korea. He was exiled to China, where he lived under the protection of the Qing dynasty. He returned to Korea in 1882, after the Imo Rebellion, and tried to regain his influence. He was involved in several political intrigues and conflicts, such as the Gapsin Coup of 1884, the Japanese assassination attempt of 1885, and the Donghak Peasant Revolution of 1894. He also opposed the marriage of his son Gojong to Empress Myeongseong, who was from the powerful Min clan and who advocated pro-Japanese policies. He allegedly plotted to assassinate her in 1895, but failed. He died in 1898, at the age of 77, in his residence in Seongjeosibli. He was buried in Hongneung, next to his wife. He was posthumously honored with the title of Internal King Heungseon Heonui. He is regarded as one of the most influential and controversial figures in Korean history.