Main Figures

Heungseon Daewongun

Heungseon Daewongun was a royal family member and a politician of the Joseon Dynasty. His courtesy name was Sibaek, and penname was Seokpa, while his real name was Ha-eung. He was the fifth generation descendent of King Yeongjo and father of King Gojong, the 26th king of Joseon Dynasty.

In 1843 (9th year of King Heonjong), he became Heungseongun.
In 1846, he was promoted to Daejongwan (大尊官 / a high position) of Sureungcheonjangdogam (綏陵遷葬都監 / a government office) and then, appointed as Yusadangsang (a position in Joseon dynasty) of Jongchinbu (a government office where king's clothes or portraits were managed), and Dochonggwan (a government position where military services are managed), of Owidochogbu (the central military services management office).
As the royal family were surveilled, they felt pressure under Sedo Jungchi (the family clan and its members related to the person of power attain the absolute authority over government / Nepotism) of the Kims clan, from Andong (a city where Kims clan originated from), and for his own protection, he pretended he had gone insane, kept company with outlaws, and did not hesitate to be a beggar.
He was ridiculed and was called "Gungdoryeong", meaning 'Little royal Rogue'.

After King Cheoljong died without an heir, with a secret promise between Queen Shinjeong and Ha-eung to appoint Myeongbok as the king succeeding to the throne of Cheoljong, Ha-eung's second son, Myeongbok, was appointed king, and Ha-eung was bestowed the title 'Daewongun'.
He, as regent, propelled government reform, rooted out Sedo Jungchi (nepotism / the family clan and its members related to the person of power attain the absolute authority over government), and appointed talented personnel to official positions, regardless of their backgrounds.
He had also, reorganized and reduced the number of Seowons (private Confucius schools), which were the core reason for political disputes between parties.
Heungseon Daewongun prevented Toho (a gentry class in possession of lands), from owning multiple lands, and carried out Hopobup (laws for taxation), that required Yangban (gentry class) to pay Gunpo (taxes imposed to people exempted from military service), which had only been paid by common people.
He reformed Hwangokjae (Hwangokjae is a rationing system that government officials collect surplus harvests in Autumn and helps common people recuperate by providing needed foods in Spring.

In later days, the system backfired due to corrupt officials.), into Sachangjae (a rationing system which was managed by private civilians as part of corruption-preventive measures).
He simplified the royal clothing and prohibited ruling elites from living an extravagant life.
He established legal laws by writing Daejeonhoetong (a compilation of laws written in the second year of King Gojong's enthronement), Yukjeonjorye (a compilation of descriptions of administrative duties written in the fourth year of King Gojong's enthronement), and Yangjeonpyeongo (a compilation of screening rules for appointing government officials).
On the other hand, Heungseon Daewongun coercively collected Wonnapjeon (nominally, Wonnapjeon means ‘donation’) and compelled common people to labor for the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace, harboring resentments from the public.

He established a 'Swaegukyangi' policy (national isolation policy) that prevented the inflow of western powers and executed nine French priests and 8000 Catholics in the year of Byeongin (the 3rd year of the sexagenary cycle).
This incident is called "Byeonginyangyo", a historical crackdown against Catholicism.
Repelling a French invasion as a response to the deaths of Catholic priests, and fending off pressures to open commercial trading over the General Sherman incident (the destruction of an armed U.S. Merchant Marine side-wheel steamer in Korea in 1866) from the U.S. were successful.

Meanwhile, Heungseon Daewongun, who was in the middle of power struggle with Queen Myeongseong, lost his political power due to a court appeal of Confucian scholars including Choi Ikhyeon against the reign of Daewongun.
In 1882 (the 19th year of King Gojong), an Imogunran (military coup) helped Heungseon Daewongun to retain his power, but with Qing Dynasty's intervention, he was exiled to Tianjin, China for three years.
In 1886, he tried to put his eldest son, Jaemyeon, on the throne with the help of Yuan Shikai (a politician and an emperor in the early days of People's Republic of China), but it was a failed attempt.
In 1895, he regained the political authority through Eulmisabyeon (murder of Queen Myeongseong to rid the Russophile) that Japanese Ambassador Miura Goro started.

Afterwards, with the formation of a pro-Russian government through Aguanpacheon (an incident that King Gojong and his heir resided in Russian legation), Heungseon Daewongun had no choice but to retire. In 1907 (the first year of King Sunjong), he was appointed as Daewonwang (Heungseon Daewongun's appointed title after his death). His posthumous epithet (Shiho / a symbolic name given to a patriot) was Heonui.

Budaebuin Min from Yeoheung Min clan

Budaebuin (a title given to the wife of Daewongun) Min (1818 ~ January 1898) from the Yeoheung Min clan, was a royal family member of the Joseon Dynasty, the mother of King Gojong, and the 26th king of the Joseon dynasty while also being the daughter of Min Chigu.

She married Heungson Daewongun and with him, had two sons and one daughter. Budaebuin had been Catholic since she was little and read 'Ilgwamun'. In 1863, when her second son became the king, she held a Catholic mass with a eucharistic prayer in Unhyeongung. In December 1863, she was given a title "Yeoheung Budae" (a title given to the wife of Daewongun / Yeoheung is the name of a region her family was originated from). In 1866, her husband, Heungseon Daewongun, was looking for a future queen for his son King Gojong, Budaebuin recommended the daughter of Min Chirok, her distant relative who lost his father in his early age. The daughter of Min Chirok moved in and was proclaimed the Queen of Gojong. Daewongun, considering the fact that Min Chirok's father died early and the scarcity of the number of Chirok’s family members, thought he was safe from any future threat to the throne from Min Chirok's family - a view that later radically changed when Queen Myeongseong adopted his biological brother, Min Gyeomho. After the Korea-France agreement was completed, and Catholicism was allowed in October 1887, Min, who was Catholic, was baptized by the missionary bishop Mütel from Societé des Missions Étrangères de Paris on October 1896. In the same year when Min Gyeomho was baptized, he was also given an official title by Budaebuin from the Yeoheung Min clan. With Park Martha, who was both the King Gojong's nanny and a Catholic sister of Budaebuin, Budaebuin attempted to protect the Joseon Dynasty from the advance of Russia with the aid of the French government, communicated through French bishop Berneux. In the end, the plan was not realized and in 1907, she was appointed 'Sunmokdaewonbi.'

King Gojong (later became King Gojong once Gojong founded Daehan Jaeguk)

Gojong is the 26th king of Joseon Dynasty and the first king of Daehan Jaeguk, reigning from 1863 to 1907.

Amid the internal confrontations between Queen Myseongseong and Daewongun, domestic affairs kept being obstructed, by great national powers such as Japan. Two sides, Gaehwa (a progressive party of Joseon) and Sugu (a conservative party of Joseon), conflicted with each other. Among such disorder, Byeongjasuho Joyak (a treaty concluded between Joseon and Japan), Han-Mi Suhotongsang Joyak (a treaty of peace, commerce and navigation between Korea and the US), Han-Young Suho Joyak (a treaty made between Joseon and the UK) are signed.

After the death of Gojong, he was named Jaehwang. Gojong's childhood name was Myeongbok. His name given in his initial adulthood was Myeongbu. The second name given to him in his adulthood was Seongrim, and his alias was Juyeon. Gojong is the second son of the fourth descendant of Youngjo, Heungseon Daewongun Lee Ha-eung, and the queen to King Gojong, was Myeongseong who was a daughter of Chirok, Yeoseong Buwongun (a title given to the father of the queen). In December 1863 (the 14th year of King Cheoljong), upon the death of King Cheoljong without an heir of the throne, and by the Queen Shinjeong's order, King Gojong came to the throne at the age of 12. Too young to govern, the Queen Mother became regent as precedented in previous regimes. Under a great cause for betterment of the government, administrative authority was yielded to Daewongun, which led to his decade-long administration. For the first ten years of King Gojong's reign, his father, Heungseon Daewongun, made achievements by carrying out drastic reforms: preventing nepotism and corruption from political factions and lineage groups, hiring talented personnel regardless of political backgrounds, abolishing Bibyeonsa (the office of Border Defense that later dominated the entire government offices), reviving the authority of Uijeongbu (a government office that lost its authority to Bibyeonsa), establishing Samgunbu (a government office that manages military affairs), establishing and deploying a battery in Hangang Yanghwajin (a port of Joseon Dynasty) to strengthen protection of the capital city, imposing taxes to gentry class of Joseon, and taking tough measures upon the mistreatment from the gentry class Confucian scholars. That said, Daewongun's political missteps included the bringing of financial catastrophe by: the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace, issuance of Dangbaekjeon (a coin that's worth 100 coins but later became bad money which lost its value in later days) notorious for the main cause of hyperinflation that led the impoverishment of the commoner life, betraying people's trust and providing the main cause of rioting by enforcing physical labor, a crackdown on Catholicism, the killing of 8,000 Catholics, national isolation policy rejecting trades with Western powers, Byeonginyangyo (French campaign against Korea caused by the murder of French bishops), and Sinmiyangyo (invasion of Korea by the three U.S. warships caused by destruction of a U.S. Merchant Marine side-wheel steamer). In November 1873 (the 10th year of Gojong), through the political maneuvering of Queen Myeongseong, Daewongun resigned from political power and King Gojong announced his direct involvement in governing. Afterwards, political powers were passed to Queen Myeongseong, and the family members of the Yeoheung Min clan including Min Seungho, Min Gyeomho, and Min Taeho, marking the beginning of political nepotism. From this moment, King Gojong had to face the national crisis amid the power struggle between Queen Myeongseong and Daewongun.

The Unyangho Incident (trespassing of the Japanese warship) in 1875 forced the Joseon Dynasty to abandon its closed-door policy to foreign countries, and the Joseon Dynasty agreed to Byeongjasuho Joyack (an agreement between Joseon and Japan), marking the beginning of a modern capitalist country with new cultural products flowing in. At this tumultuous time, Gaehwadang (a progressive party) emerged. Severe conflicts occurred between Gaehwadang (a progressive party in support of political reform and independent country) and Sadaedang (a conservative party in support of fostering the open country to other nations). In 1881, the king dispatched a diplomatic envoy whose mission was to figure out the local situation of Japan and look into foreign cultures and civilization. He reformed the Military system, establishing the Byeolgigun army, trained with cutting-edge military exercises. As a result of these reformations, the neglected old-fashioned soldiers rebelled against the new system, causing Imogunran (the uprising of soldiers) in 1882. Gaehwa (a progressive party) and Sugu (a conservative party) went through Gapsin Jeongbyeon (a political coup stirred by progress members against members of Yeoheung Min clan) with a sanguinary struggle between two parties. Due to threats of the Gaehwa party, King Gojong had to move to different dwellings, including Kyungwugung, Gyedonggung, and more.

Even in the midst of tumult, King Gojong built diplomatic ties with the western powers by concluding a treaty of peace, commerce, and navigation between Korea and the US and the UK. But in 1885, the Tianjin Agreement, which removed Qing Dynasty's supremacy over Joseon, gave the same power as Qing Dynasty to Japan and provided a foothold for Japan to colonize the Korean peninsula. At the time of Donghak Peasants Revolution in 1894, the Sino-Japanese War broke out. With the victory of Japan, pro-Japanese groups had Daewongun retain his authority. The members of the Gaehwa party, such as Kim Hong Gip, formed the reformist cabinet and carried out a Gabo reform (a revolutionary act that brought political, economic, and societal changes) to revise the conventional systems that have been remnant ever since the establishment of Joseon Dynasty. Japan, securing the basis for dominance over Korean peninsula, started to interfere in the internal affairs and promulgated the 'Hongbum 14 Articles', which can be viewed as the first proto-constitution in Korea. Although it seemed as if government of a sovereign state had been practiced with the disapproval of the suzerainty of Qing Dynasty administration, faced increasing intervention of Japan in the internal affairs, reforming administrative laws and dividing 8 provinces into 13 districts under Japan's guidance.

However, with the triple intervention from Russia, Germany, and France, Japan yielded the possession of the Liaodong Peninsula, dimming the national prestige of Japan. The, Yeoheung Min clan then leaned Russophile, overthrowing the pro-Japanese cabinet, and formed the 3rd Kim Hong Jib cabinet with the appointment of cabinet members, including Lee Bum Jin and Lee Wan Yong. Standing up to Min clan's resistance, in August, 1895, under the order of Miura Goro, the Japanese minister, assassins broke into the Gyeongbokgung Palace with the help of Daewongun, and Queen Myeongseong had been assassinated. Daewongun compelled Gojong to expel the pro-Russian cabinet, and established the fourth Kim Hong Jib cabinet led by Yu Kil Jun. The cabinet attempted modernization through vaccination, postal services, prohibition of the traditional topknot hairstyle in favor of westernized looks, establishing the use of the solar calendar, abolishment of excessive punishment, and more.

In February 1896, after the Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation, also known as Agwan Pacheon, where King Gojong and the crown prince escaped to the Russian Embassy through the arrangement of the Russian consul Karl Ivanovich Weber, took place, members of Gaehwa party, including Kim Hong Jib, Jeong Byeong Ha, and Eo Yun Jung, were killed, and the pro-Russian cabinet again came into power, placing Joseon under the protection of Russia. On February 25th, 1897, King Gojong moved to Gyeongungung Palace (now known as 'Deoksugung Palace') after the agreement took place between Russia and Japan. In August, Gojong designated the name of the era to Gwangmu (光武 / Radiant Warrior) and, in October, Daehan Jeguk was designated for the renewed name of the Joseon Dynasty, and the Korean word 'wang' (왕) that signifies a king was replaced with the word 'Hwangjae' (황제) which represents an emperor of a strong and independent nation. In 1904 (8th year of Gwangmu), after Japanese victory in the Russo-Japanese War, Japan demanded establishment of the 1st Korea-Japan Treaty with intent to interfere in Daehan Jeguk's own political affairs by sending Japanese advisors. A year later, the national rights of the public order of Daehan Jeguk were replaced by the Japanese Military Police and in November of that same year, the Eulsa Treaty, which was the 2nd Japan-Korea Treaty, was made, depriving Daehan Jeguk diplomatic rights. The rights were handed to Japan, and the deprivation pushed the empire into a state of national crisis, which had not been encountered since the Soviet Invasion of Manchuria. Korean patriots Min Young-hwan, Jo Byung-sae, Hong Man-sik, and others protested through suicide, but in February of 1906, Japan established a Japanese Resident-General of Korea, laying the foundation of Japan's political authority on Korean government. In 1907, the Second Peace Conference was held in The Hague, Netherlands. Emperor Gojong sent secret emissaries, including Lee Jun, in hopes to recover national rights. However, the mission was impeded by Japan, resulting in failure. Contrary to Gojong's expectation, the entire "Hague Secret Emissary" led to Japan's threats to Emperor Gojong, consequently handing his throne over to his crown prince, Sunjong. In return, newly throned emperor, Sunjong gave the title 'Taehwangjae' (title given to ex-emperor) to Gojong. After Gojong's appointment, he lived his remaining years in Deoksugung Palace, marking his demise on January 21st, 1919. In that period, a rumor that Gojong was poisoned under the Japanese plot was circulating throughout the streets of Daehan Jeguk. On the day of Gojong's departure, the former emperor was gravely ill, and Lee Wan Yong (a pro-Japanese statesman of Korea) stayed overnight in the palace. Lee Wan Yong ordered a court maid to bring in Sikhye (a traditional Korean rice punch). After drinking the brought-in beverage, Gojong suffered from a terrible stomachache, followed by sudden death. With the rumor that Gojong was poisoned going around, Japan published an article that the cause of his death was cerebral hemorrhage. Oddly, the two maids who sent up the beverage to Gojong died in succession. Two days after Gojong’s death, on January 23rd, the first maid, Kim, died from the flu, and on February 2nd, the second maid, Park, coughed himself to death. After the death of Gojong, anti-Japanese sentiments reached its peak, triggering the March First Independence movement which took the date, March 3rd, of the Nation-wide funeral of Gojong in remembrance. Gojong's 44 years of reign was a turbulent period for the Korean people, and the turbulence of common people's lives flowed through the thick wall of royal regime, feeling all the pains of peasants. Making the situation worse, the misfortune of losing the Daehan Jeguk empire, to the Japanese empire came only after 3 years since entrusting Daehan Jeguk to Gojong's only heir, Sunjong. His royal tomb lies in Hongneung, Geumgok-dong, and Gojong is also an author of the book 'Juyonjib'.

In 1881, Joseonchaeryak, written by Hwang Junhyeon, was published, encouraging advocates of Pro-Confucian ideas (the Wijeongcheoksa faction) to raise their voice against the Min family government. Conspirators, including An Giyeong, sought to place Lee Jaeseon, Daewongun's first child born of a concubine, on the throne which was a plot that was uncovered by Go Byeon. The Min family government severely cracked down on the Wijeongcheoksa faction. In 1881, Sinsayurandan (diplomatic envoy) was dispatched to Japan to learn about the new Western civilization. The military was reformed and a new, western-style military called "Byeolgigun" was established. In 1882, strong opposition against the new military system started Imogunran (military coup), which caused bloody fighting between the pro-Western civilization (Gaehwapa) faction and those against it (Sugupa). In 1884, Gapsinjeongbyeon (political change in Gapsin year) forced King Gojong to move to Kyeongu Palace, and then to Gyedong Palace by Gaehwapa. During this incident, King Gojong built diplomatic ties with the U.S. and Britain, but in 1885, the Tianjin Agreement, which removed the influence of Qing Dynasty in Joseon, gave power to Japan and provided a chance for Japan to colonize the Korean peninsula. In February 1896, King Gojong and the crown prince escaped to the Russian Embassy through Weber's Plot (this incident is called "Agwanpacheon) and advocates looking to open Korea to the West, including Kim Hongji, Jeong Byeongha, and Eo Yunjong, whom were assassinated. A pro-Russian cabinet was put into place, placing Joseon under the protection of Russia. On February 25th, 1897, King Gojong moved to KyeonguPalace (present-day Deoksu Palace) according to an agreement between Russia and Japan. In August, he changed the name of the regal year to Gwangmu and, on October, changed the name of the Dynasty to Daehan, and became emperor. In 1904 (8th year of Gwang-mu), victorious in the Russo-Japanese War, Japan was able to establish the 1st Japan-Korea Treaty in which they requested in favor for Foreign Government. A year later, the rights of the public order of Korea were replaced by the Japanese Military Police and that same year in November, the Eulsa Treaty, which was the 2nd Japan-Korea Treaty, was made. The right to foreign policy was taken over by the Japanese and pushed the Korean nation into a state of national crisis, following the Soviet Invasion of Manchuria. Korean patriots Min Young-hwan, Jo Byung-sae, Hong Man-sik, and others protested through suicide, but in February of 1906, Japan put in place a Governor-General of Korea to fully implement Foreign Rule of Government. In 1907 at the 2nd Hague Convention in The Netherlands, King Gojong sent secret emissaries, Lee Jun and others, in hopes to regain Korea's rights. But due to Japan's obstruction, the mission resulted in failure and the entire "Hague Secret Emissary Affair" became ammunition for Japan to threaten the Emperor with abdication of his throne to Sun Jong. It's said that after receiving the title of Former Emperor, he lived his later years in Duksoo Palace. In January 21st, 1919, he was said to been killed by poison by the Japanese. Gojong's 44 years of reign was a turbulent period for the Korean people and one in which he also experienced, the ill fate of the country and misfortune of losing his country after only 3 years of being on the throne. His royal tomb lies in Geumgok, Hongreung and he wrote the book "Juyonjib".

Myeongseonghwanghu

She was born in Yeo-heung as Yeosung Buwongun, Min Chi-rok's daughter (1851 ~ 1895). At 8 years of age, she lost her father and suffered greatly as her family became impoverished, but amongst the Min family, she was known for being a precocious child. In 1866 (3rd year of Joseon's Gojong), Heungseon Daewongun sought to eliminate the power base that was built on nepotism surrounding the throne. At the recommendation of Daewongun's wife, Min, Daewongun's search for a suitable wife for his son, King Gojong, resulted in her becoming queen at age 16. Although Gojong was in love with his courtesan, Lee, and cared little for Queen Myeongseong, Myeongseong was praised by those around her for her outstanding manners. When Courtesan Lee gave birth to a son, Wanhwa Gung, the child of a concubine, Heungseon Daewongun, Lee Ha-eung was very pleased. As a result, Queen Myeongseong, became motivated by feelings of discontent and jealousy to hone her political acumen. While Heungseon Daewongun ruled the country, the general public ignored Queen Myeongseong and she used this opportunity to gather the opposition to Heungseon Daewongun's power and to amass her own influence. In 1874 (Joseon's Gojong 11th year), she gave birth to Prince Chuk and the rise of Queen Myeongseong's party gained the notice of Heungseon Daewongun, causing him to make plans for Wanhwa Gung to be named the only successor to the throne. This plan was uncovered by Queen Myeongseong and started the beginning of a race for the throne. She sent Senior Lee Yu-won to Beijing in order to receive approval for Prince Chuk to be the successor. She took the opportunity of the civic unpopularity of Heungseon Daewongun's domestic policy and ordered Min Seung-ho to collude with Jo Sung-ha, nephew of Queen Jo, and with the Kim Byeong-kuk party, who opposed Heungseon Daewongun. She extended her power by allying with Heungseon Daewongun's oldest son, Lee Jae-myeon, and Heungseon Daewongun's older brother, Lee Choi-eung, as well as with Jo Doo-soon and Lee Yu-won. Finally in 1873 (the 10th year of Joseon Gojong), Heungseon Daewongun stepped down from his position and Gojong alone ruled the country.

Gojong created a Treaty of Peace and advocated an Open Door Policy for the country. He started to change the domestic affairs of Heungseon Deawongun from within. The main supporters of Queen Myeongseong gained position within the palace, resulting in an increased hostility with Heungseon Daewongun. This tension eventually led to a military rebellion in 1882, Imo year. Queen Myeongseong barely escaped to safety in the house of Chungju Mok. Min Eun-sik and Heungseon Daewongun was able to reclaim his position. He mistakenly believed that Queen Myeongseong had been killed in the event and even arranged a funeral for her, but Chinese intervention resulted in a limiting of the army and eventually the forced removal of Heungseong Daewongun to their country. After the 1884 Gapsin Coup, the Min clan forced out the Enlightenment Party and restored the balance of power to the conservative faction. Ten years later, pressure from Japan resulted in the Gabo Reform as Queen Myeongseong lost power again. Three countries intervened, putting Japan in an unfavorable position, and resulting in a partnership with Russia that threatened Japan's control. In September 1895, Miura was appointed as the Japanese Envoy after Inoue and he was set on a collision course with Queen Myeongseong and her partnership with Russia. The Myeongseong partnership with Russia irritated Japan and in October 8th, 1895, Queen Myeongseong was assassinated by a pro-Japanese group along with 20~30 men sent by the Japanese Envoy. Her corpse was wrapped in a royal blanket and dosed with gasoline before it was set aflame. This incident was called the Eulmi Incident. In the year 1897 (Korean Empire Gwangmu 1st), she was officially given the title Queen Myeongseong, and her remains were kept at South Cheongyangni until 1919, when King Gojong was dethroned, she was moved to Hongreung. Deep within Gyeongbok Palace near the Korean Folk Village (for a while the Jeonseung Craft Hall was used) on the right side, resides Queen Myeongseong's Memorial Tomb, alone throughout the years.

Owners of Unhyeongung

First generation Lee Ha-eung (Heungseon Daewongun 1820~1898 Sunjo 20th~Gojong 35th)

Joseon Dynasty's Royalty/Politician. Signature name is Sibaek, pen name is Sukpa, and his given name was Ha-eung. He was a 5th generation descendant of King Youngjo and Joseon's 26th King Gojong's father. In 1843 (Hunjong 9th), he was appointed to Heungseon Gun (Prince of the Great Court) and in 1846, he became Daejon Gwan (high official) of Sureung Chunjangdogam (government office for royal marriages and funerals). He then held the titles of Yusadangsang (high official) of Jongchin Bu (Royal Government Office) and Dochong Gwan (highest official) of Owe-dochong Bu (highest military command office). As a way to defend himself against the nepotism of the Andong Kim clan and close monitoring of other royals, he hung out with an unruly crowd and even participated in begging. People made fun of this and called him the "PalaceIdiot". He secretly agreed with Queen Jo of the Royal Family to place the second son, Myeong-bok, as the successor to the throne after King Chuljong died without a direct successor and then, he was appointed to Daewongun. Afterwards, through the regency, he was able to push through solid, innovative politics, which broke down nepotism, partisanship, and family ties. The system soon began to favor individual ability and brought order to an unstable educational institute, which was the center of political strife. He blocked the monopoly of landowners and put in place a law (Hopo bub) that taxed both the commoner as well as the nobility, who had previously been exempt. Additionally, a governing system for public food supply was changed from provisions by the Kingdom (Hwangok Je) to the local villages (Sachang Je). The dress code was set to have greater simplicity and overspending was prohibited. He presented books of law such as [Daejunhwaytong], [Yookjunjorae], and [Yangjungpyungo] in order to push towards establishing law and order. In the reconstruction of Gyeongbok Palace, he collected Wannapjun (forced donations collected from the people) and Yeokyeok (forced labor), which resulted in public complaint. Additionally, a Policy of Strict Isolationism was set in place to ward off foreign influences. During Byeongin Bakhae, 9 priests from France and about 8,000 Catholics were executed. These large-scale acts of anti-Catholicism resulted in an invasion from France. The General Sherman Incident brought The United States to strongly request a trade policy, but this was also denied. A power struggle between Queen Myeongseong led to the Confucian Scholars, Cho Ik-hyeon, and others to an appeal, which eventually led to him losing his position. During the Imo Incident of year 82 (Gojong's 19th year), he sought the opportunity to retake his position, but was captured by Qing's intervention and forcibly taken to Tianjin, where he lived a life of imprisonment for 3 years. Afterwards, in year 86, he colluded with Yuan Shikai in a failed attempt to dethrone the oldest son, Jaehwang. In year 95, the Eulmi Incident, instigated by the Japanese Envoy,Miura, resulted in his siege of the regime. The establishment of a friendship amongst the government of Russia based on the Korea Royal Refuge at the Russian legation resulted in his retirement. In 1907 (Sunjong 1st), he was appointed King Daewon. He was granted the title Heonui.

2nd generation Lee Jae-myeon (1845~1912)

Whanhyeong Gun Lee Jae-myeon was the first son of Hyeongseon Daewongun. Although he was seven years older than his brother Myeong-bok, he was not chosen to be the crown prince. After losing his wife, he remarried the 20-year-old, Gyesil, at age 57. Gyesil was 13 years younger than his son, Lee Jun-young.

3rd generation Lee Jun-yong (1870~1917)

Youngsun Gun Lee Jun-yong was the first son of Lee Jae-myeon. He lived in Songjeong Sarang-Chae at the back of Norok Dang before moving to Unhyeongung. In 1896, right after the Eulmi Incident, he went to Japan to study modern sciences and returned to his home country after 12 years in 1908, after which he lived at Unhyeongung. In 1917, he passed away at age 47, 5 years after his father, Lee Jae-myeon's, death. Lee Jun-yong passed away without an heir. Lee Woo, who was son of King Uichin, the fifth son of Gojong, was chosen to be an adopted son. Lee (1883-1978), wife of Lee Jae-myeon, was intended to take care of the household of Unhyeongung, but Gyesil Gwangsan Kim of Lee Jun-yong, who was the granddaughter-in-law of Daewongun, managed all the housework.

4th Generation Lee Woo (1912~1943)

Huengyoung Gun Lee Woo was 5 years old when he was adopted by Lee Jun-yong. At age 10, he went to Japan and served in the Japanese Military. The sending of Lee Jun-yong and Lee Woo to Japan was part of a political propaganda. In Japan, Lee Woo married Pak Chan-ju (1914~1995), who was Pak Young-hyo's great-granddaughter.

5th Generation Lee Chung (1936~)

Lee Woo's eldest son, Lee Chung, is Heungseon Daewongun's 5th generation and Gojong's 4th generation descendant. Outwardly, his appearance show similarities to Gojong and he carries himself as a royal descendant should. Lee Chung grew up in Japan and did not live his childhood at Unhyeongung, but stayed there on occasional trips that were granted to Korea. Lee Chung became the owner of Unhyeongung in 1948. Difficulties in managing Unhyeongung resulted in the City of Seoul taking over management in 1993, and now, it is operating as the Capital of Seoul's 600-Year Anniversary Project.

Unhyeongung Introduction