kingdom · Korea and Japan

Korean Empire

1897 CE – 1910 CE · capital Hanseong (Seoul)

Korea's last independent monarchy, proclaimed by King Gojong in 1897 to assert equality with China and Japan, and annexed by Japan in 1910.

Origins

After Japan's victory over Qing China in 1895 ended Korea's tributary ties, Japanese agents murdered Queen Min, and King Gojong took refuge in the Russian legation in 1896. Returning to his palace in 1897, he proclaimed the Great Han Empire and took the title of emperor, choosing the era name Gwangmu.

Rule and society

The Gwangmu reforms carried out land surveys, issued land titles and brought electricity, telegraphs, a tramway and the first railway to Seoul, while strengthening imperial power. The emperor suppressed the reformist Independence Club in 1898. Korea became a prize in rivalry between Russia and Japan, and Japan's victory in the war of 1904 and 1905 left it exposed.

Decline and legacy

The Eulsa Treaty of 1905 made Korea a Japanese protectorate under Resident-General Ito Hirobumi. Gojong sent secret envoys to The Hague in 1907 and was forced to abdicate for his son Sunjong; the army was disbanded, and Japan annexed Korea in 1910.

Lineage

Joseon 1392 CE – 1897 CEKorean EmpireKorea under Japanese rule 1910 CE – 1945 CE

Connections (2)

More states of Korea and Japan →

Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Korean Empire. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/korean-empire
MLA
“Korean Empire.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/korean-empire. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Korean Empire.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/korean-empire.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Korean Empire’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/korean-empire (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻