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Queen Min and the Struggle for Korea’s Sovereignty

Alessia Franciaglia

Created on March 20, 2026

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Transcript

Queen Min and the Struggle for Korea’s Sovereignty

Alessia Franciaglia & Donatella Trinca

Start➛

1851-1895

Historical Context

  • Korea under Joseon Dynasty -towards the end
"the hermit Kingdom"
  • Pressure from:
-Japan -Qing China weakening of -Russia korean independence

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Historical Events

The Buildup of Tensions

After Queen Min

Trasformation Period

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Who was Queen Min?

1895

1870-1895

1866-1895

1866

1851

Relationship with Japan

Death-Eulmi Incident

Marriage

Birth and early life

Power & Politics

she was killed by the japanese ronin and an angry mob, at Gyeongbokgung Palace at night. The queen was decapitated and her corpse burnt.

She built alliances with powerful families and placed loyal supporters in key positions at court and she helped the King to take direct control of the government. Queen Min supported modernization and reforms to help society.

She married King Gojong in 1866. However, real power was held by his father, Heungseon Daewongun, who ruled as regent. Although she was expected to remain passive, Queen Min gradually began to build her own political role.

Queen Min was born in 1851 into the Yeoheung Min clan, a noble family. She lost her parents at a young age, but she became known for her intelligence and education, which was unusual for women at that time. .

Before her full rise to power, Korea had begun sending missions abroad to countries like Japan. trying to learn new technologies. Queen Min's growth started to enrage Japan which decided to take care of it...

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"The Fox Hunt"

- Partial alliance between the Ronin and Heungseon Daewongun. - October 1895, 2 AM Gyeongbokgung Palace. - Brutal and indiscriminate attack

The group of Ronin that killed the queen during the Eulmi incident

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The Aftermath

After her death, King Gojong refused to accept the situation and feared for his life.

In 1896, he fled to the Russian embassy in an event known as the Agwan Pacheon, where he stayed for about a year.

Meanwhile, Japanese influence in Korea continued to grow and Heungseon Daewongun reclaimed his power

Although some of the assassins were arrested, they were not seriously punished: Miura became minister of communication

Her death was a shock for everyone. New movements for independence and reform began to emerge.

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Controversy related to her figure

  • Seen as:
-protector of Korea + symbol of resistance -OR politically opportunistic
  • Used foreign alliances (Russia, etc.)= powerful female political figure
  • Even after 130 years= no confirmed pictures of her
- probably destroyed - she was a very reserved person

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Her legacy

  • Today, she is remembered as:
-a symbol of resistance against imperialism -a powerful female political figure -a tragic victim of international politics
  • However, she remains a complex and sometimes controversial figure.
  • Unfortunately Queen Min’s assassination can be seen as a turning point that accelerated Korea’s loss of independence.

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Today's representation

Through the musical "Lost Face 1895"

  • She's still rembered today
  • the musical explores her personality and humanity
  • The title of empress was given to her only after her death

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Thank you for your attention!

End➛

BACK

  • 1894-1896: Kabo reforms Agwan Pacheon= King's self exile
  • 1896-1898:Independence Club + "The indipendent"

BACK

  • 1897-1910: Korean Empire (대한제국 )
Gwangmu reforms= modernization
  • 1905: Eulsa Treaty= Loss of Korea's diplomatic rights
  • 1910: Annexation to Japan= Loss of sovreignity

BACK

  • 1863: King Gojong's coronation (+ father's controll)
  • 1875: Unyo incident
  • 1876: Ganghwa Treaty= end of Joseon's isolation untill 1884= struggles for remodernization
  • 1884: Gapsin coup d'état
  • 1894: Tonghak uprising
(1894-1895 sino-japanese war)