Joseon Army (1881–1897)
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The Joseon Army of the late 19th century was the modernized army of the Korean dynasty of Joseon. After the Treaty of Ganghwa, King Gojong and Queen Myeongseong spearheaded the modernization of the armed forces. The army was known for the Donghak Peasant Revolution, its defense of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and defending Queen Min from the Japanese. Despite this, the new modernized army was too weak to defend itself from foreign threats and could not prevent the assassination of Queen Min. Gojong declared Joseon the Empire of Korea and contributed the modernization of the armed forces.
Modernized Joseon Army procession with King Gojong in the background
Special Skills Force standing at attention.
March of the Capital Guards Command.
Hullyeondae in training.
Empress Myeongseong
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Empress Myeongseong was the official wife of Gojong, the 26th king of Joseon and the first emperor of the Korean Empire. During her lifetime, she was known by the name Queen Min. After the founding of the Korean Empire, she was posthumously given the title of Myeongseong, the Great Empress.
A posthumous status representation of King Gojong and Empress Myeongseong Elementary History of Korea (1908). No verified uncontested contemporary photograph of the Empress has so far been found, though there has been much speculation as to whether a photograph might have survived.
House of Gamgodang, the birthplace of Empress Myeongseong
1892 A street in the Japanese quarter of Busan, being of the character described by Isabella Bird.