{{Short description|Emperor of Korea from 1907 to 1910}} {{distinguish|Sunjong of Goryeo}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox royalty | name = Sunjong | image = Sunjong of the Korean Empire.jpg | caption = Sunjong wearing court uniform and dress of the Korean Empire {{circa|1910}} | succession = Emperor of Korea | reign = 19 July 1907 – 29 August 1910 | predecessor = Gojong of Korea | successor = ''Monarchy abolished''<br>(Korea annexed by Japan) | spouses = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Empress Sunmyeong|1882|1904|end=died}} * {{marriage|Empress Sunjeong|1907}} }} | issue = | dynasty = Yi | house-type = Clan | father = Gojong of Korea | mother = Empress Myeongseong | religion = Korean Confucianism {{small|(Neo-Confucianism)}} | full name = Yi Cheok ({{Korean|hangul=이척|hanja=李坧|labels=no}}) | era name = Yunghui ({{Korean|hangul=융희|hanja=隆熙|labels=no}}) | era dates = 1907–1910 | posthumous name = Emperor Munon Mulyeong Donin Seonggyeong Hyo ({{Korean|hangul=문온무령돈인성경효황제|hanja=文溫武寧敦仁誠敬孝皇帝|labels=no}}) | temple name = Sunjong ({{Korean|hangul=순종|hanja=純宗|labels=no}}) | house = Jeonju Yi | birth_date = 25 March 1874 | birth_place = Changdeokgung, Hanseong, Joseon | death_date = {{Death date and age|1926|4|24|1874|3|25|df=yes}} | death_place = Changdeokgung, Keijō, Chōsen | burial_place = Hongyureung, Namyangju, South Korea }} {{Infobox Korean name/auto | title= {{nobold|Korean name}} | hangul= %이척 | hanja= 李坧 | hangulmo= ^순종; ^융희제 | hanjamo= 純宗; 隆熙帝 | hangulho= %_정헌 | hanjaho= 正軒 | hangulja= %_군방 | hanjaja= 君邦 }} '''Sunjong''' ({{korean|hangul=순종|hanja=純宗}}; 25 March 1874 – 24 April 1926),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0002014|script-title=ko:건원절(乾元節)|website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0031947|script-title=ko:순종(純宗)|website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture}}</ref> personal name '''Yi Cheok''' ({{Korean|hangul=이척|hanja=李坧|labels=no}}), also known as the '''Yunghui Emperor''' ({{Korean|hangul=융희제|hanja=隆熙帝|labels=no}}), was the last Korean monarch. He ruled from 1907 to 1910 with the reign of 3 years. He was the second and last emperor of the Korean Empire. Sunjong was elevated to the throne after his predecessor and father, Gojong, was forced to abdicate by the Empire of Japan. Hence, Sunjong has been characterized by historians as being a powerless puppet ruler of the Japanese, reigning for just three years before Korea was officially annexed in 1910.
==Biography==
=== Crown Prince of Korea === Sunjong was the second son of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong. When he turned two years old in 1876, Sunjong was proclaimed the Crown Prince of Joseon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Matt |date=2008-12-31 |title=Deoksugung Palace |url=https://discoveringkorea.com/deoksugung/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Discovering Korea |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bruce Cummings |url=https://archive.org/details/KoreasPlaceInTheSunBruceCumings/page/n150/mode/1up?view=theater |title=Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History |date=2005-09-17 |pages=150}}</ref> In 1882, he married a woman of the Yeoheung Min clan (later Empress Sunmyeonghyo). She died at the age of 31 on 5 November 1904 due to a severe depression, after trying to protect her mother-in-law (Empress Myeongseong, also a member of the Yeoheung Min clan) from her assassination on 8 October 1895 by the Japanese military.
When his father proclaimed Korea as an Empire in 1897, Sunjong was appointed as the Crown Prince of Imperial Korea on 12 October 1897.<ref>{{Cite web |last=사료 고종시대사 |script-title=ko:고종, 황태자를 책봉한 뒤 신하들에게 문안 인사를 받음 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/level.do?itemId=sk&levelId=sk_021r_0010_0100_0120_0100&types=r |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=db.history.go.kr}}</ref> On 29 June 1898, he was appointed as the Field Marshal of the Imperial Korean Army.<ref>{{Cite web |last=사료 고종시대사 |script-title=ko:광무 황제, 직접 대원수가 되어 육해군을 통솔하고 황태자를 원수로 삼겠다는 조령을 내림 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/level.do?itemId=sk&levelId=sk_022r_0010_0060_0270_0010&types=r |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=db.history.go.kr}}</ref> Sunjong remarried again 3 years later to the daughter of Yoon Taek-young, Yun Jeung-sun of the Haepyeong Yun clan, who was 20 years younger than him, on 11 December 1906,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Veritable Records of Joseon Dynasty |script-title=ko:총서 |url=https://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kzb_000 |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty}}</ref> and she became Crown Princess Consort Yun (later Empress Sunjeong).
=== Emperor of Korea === On 19 July 1907, Gojong was deposed as a result of Japanese coercion, and Sunjong was made the Emperor of Korea. His coronation proceeded in Don-doek-jeon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Veritable Records of Joseon Dynasty |script-title=ko:황제 즉위식 장소와 규례에 관하여 조서를 내리다 |url=https://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kzb_10008024_001 |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty}}</ref> Prince Imperial Yeong, the younger half-brother of Sunjong, was proclaimed heir to the throne and moved from Deoksugung Palace to the imperial residence at Changdeokgung Palace.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|script-title=ko:순종|url = http://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=559332&cid=46623&categoryId=46623|publisher=Academy of Korean Studies}}</ref>
Sunjong's reign was limited by the gradually increasing armed intervention of the Japanese government in Korea. In July 1907, he was proclaimed emperor of Korea but was immediately forced to enter into the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907. This treaty allowed the Japanese government to supervise and intervene in the administration and governance of Korea, which also allowed for the appointment of Japanese ministers within the government.<ref>{{Cite book|title = 『고종시대사 6』(History of Gojong's Period 6) : 국사편찬위원회(National History Compilation Committee), 1969, 635p}}</ref>
While under Japanese supervision, the Korean army was dismissed on the pretext of a lack of public finance regulations. In 1909, Japan implemented the {{Ill|Japan–Korea Protocol (1909)|lt=Japan–Korea Protocol|ko|기유각서}}, which effectively removed Korea's judicial power. Meanwhile, Japan dispatched Itō Hirobumi, Japanese Resident-General of Korea, to negotiate with Russia over problems involving Korea and Manchuria. However, Itō was assassinated by Ahn Jung-geun at Harbin, which led to the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910. Pro-Japanese politicians, such as Song Byung-jun and Lee Wan-yong, defected, merging Korea with Japan by fabricating Korea's willingness and establishing the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty on 29 August 1910.<ref>{{Cite book|title = 『고종시대사 6』(History of Gojong's Period 6) : 국사편찬위원회(National History Compilation Committee), 1969, 641p}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Beautiful as the Rainbow: Nashimoto Masako, a Japanese Princess against All ...|last=Rhee|first=Song Nai|pages=100}}</ref>
Although still existent ''de jure'', the intervention by the Japanese government effectively ended Sunjong's reign over the Korean Empire ''de facto'' and he became essentially powerless within three years of ruling. Japan, in effect, officially abolished the Korean Empire on 29 August 1910, ending 519 years of the Joseon dynasty.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cultural Heritage, the source for Koreans' Strength and Dream|url=http://jikimi.cha.go.kr/english/royal_palaces_new/Hongneung.jsp?mc=EN_05_02_11|work=Cultural Heritage Administration|access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref>
===Post-abdication=== thumb|305x305px|The Emperor, Queen, and Yi On, the Crown Prince, but not the child of the Emperor. The Emperor and his second wife. Image collected in the United States. After the annexation treaty, the former Emperor Sunjong and his wife, Empress Sunjeong, lived the rest of their lives virtually imprisoned in Changdeokgung Palace (in present-day Seoul).<ref>{{cite web|title=Emperor Sunjong of Korea|url=http://asianhistory.about.com/od/southkorea/ig/Korea-s-Imperial-Family/Emperor-Sunjong.htm|work=Asian History|access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref> Sunjong could not exercise any power as emperor because there were only pro-Japanese politicians in the government. After the Korean Empire collapsed, Sunjong was demoted from emperor to king. Japan allowed him the title of ''King Yi of Changdeok Palace'' ({{korean|창덕궁 이왕|昌德宮 李王|labels=no}}) and allowed for the title to be inherited.<ref name="auto"/>
Sunjong died on 24 April 1926, in Changdeokgung and is buried with his two wives at the imperial tomb of Yureung ({{Korean|hangul=유릉|hanja=裕陵|labels=no}}) in the city of Namyangju. His state funeral on 10 June 1926, was a catalyst for the June 10th Movement against Japanese rule. He had no children.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Korea's Last Emperor's Goodbye: Korea Annexed by Japan|last=Yunghui Yi Cheok|first=Emperor Sunjong|publisher=1915}}</ref>
==Family== {{Unreferenced section|date=March 2024}}{{Main article|House of Yi}} * Father: Emperor Gojong of Korea ({{Korean|hangul=대한제국의 고종|labels=no}}; 8 September 1852 – 21 January 1919) ** Grandfather: Yi Ha-eung, Grand Internal Prince Heungseon (A.K.A. Heungseon Daewongun) ({{Korean|hangul=흥선대원군 이하응|labels=no}}; 21 December 1820 – 22 February 1898) ** Grandmother: Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok of the Yeoheung Min clan ({{Korean|hangul=순목부대부인 민씨|labels=no}}; 3 February 1818 – 8 January 1898) * Mother: Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min clan ({{Korean|hangul=명성황후 민씨|labels=no}}; 17 November 1851– 8 October 1895) **Grandfather: Min Chi-rok, Internal Prince Yeoseong ({{Korean|hangul=여성부원군 민치록|labels=no}}; 1799–1858) **Grandmother: Internal Princess Consort Hanchang of the Hansan Yi clan ({{Korean|hangul=한창부부인 이씨|labels=no}}; 1818–1874) '''Consort(s) and their respective issue''' * Empress Sunmyeong of the Yeoheung Min clan ({{Korean|hangul=순명황후 민씨|labels=no}}; 20 November 1872 – 5 November 1904) * Yun Jeung-sun ({{Korean|hangul=윤증순|labels=no}}), Empress Sunjeong of the Haepyeong Yun clan ({{Korean|hangul=순정황후 윤씨|labels=no}}; 19 September 1894 – 3 February 1966) ** Yi Jin ({{Korean|hangul=이진|labels=no}}; 18 August 1921 – 11 May 1922), adopted son{{efn|Yi Jin is the elder brother of Yi Ku, and the eldest son of Yi Un, Crown Prince Uimin and Yi Bangja (born Princess Masako of Nashimoto).}}
==Honours== * {{flagcountry|Korean Empire}}: Founder of the Order of the Auspicious Phoenix(서봉장,瑞鳳章){{efn|The order was established by the emperor's orders in 1907.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0027776|script-title=ko:서봉장(瑞鳳章)|website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture}}</ref> * {{flagcountry|Empire of Japan}} ** Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum – 16 January 1901; Collar – 17 October 1907<ref>{{cite book|author=刑部芳則|title=明治時代の勲章外交儀礼|url=http://meijiseitoku.org/pdf/f54-5.pdf|year=2017|publisher=明治聖徳記念学会紀要|language=ja|pages=149, 150}}</ref> ** Korean Colonization Decoration - 1 August 1912<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=ko:자료일람 {{!}} 한국사데이터베이스 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/level.do?sort=levelId&dir=ASC&start=1&limit=20&page=1&pre_page=1&setId=72&totalCount=72&prevPage=0&prevLimit=&itemId=gb&types=&synonym=off&chinessChar=on&brokerPagingInfo=&levelId=gb_1913_04_12_a02070_0060&position=-1 |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=db.history.go.kr}}</ref> * {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Belgium}}: Grand Cordon of the Royal Order of Leopold
==Ancestry== {{ahnentafel |collapsed=yes |align=center |title=Ancestors of Sunjong of Korea |boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc; |boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9; |boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc; |boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc; |1 = 1. '''Yi Cheok, Emperor Sunjong''' |2 = 2. Emperor Gojong of Korea |3 = 3. Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min Clan |4 = 4. Heungseon Daewongun |5 = 5. Sunmok Budaebuin |6 = 6. Min Chi-rok |7 = 7. Internal Princess Consort Hanchang |8 = 8. Yi Gu, Prince Namyeon |9 = 9. Princess Consort Min |10 = 10. Min Chi-gu |11 = 11. Lady Yi, Princess of Dongdeokrang |12 = 12. Min Gi-hyeon |13 =13. Lady Jo of the Haman Jo clan |14 =14. Yi Gyu-nyeon |15 = }}
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Korean Emperor Gojong and Crown Prince Yi Cheok.jpg|Emperor Gojong and the Crown Prince Sunjong File:Sunjong of the Korean Empire 02.jpg|Sunjong wearing Court uniform and dress of Korean Empire, Japanese honors and Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum File:Emperor Sunjong.jpg|Sunjong in Tongcheonggwan and Gangsapo </gallery>
==In popular culture== * Portrayed by Ahn Sang-woo in the 2016 period drama film ''The Last Princess''.
==See also== *History of Korea *List of monarchs of Korea
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline}}
{{S-start}} {{S-hou|House of Yi|25 March|1874|24 April|1926}} {{S-reg|}} {{S-bef|before=Gojong}} {{S-ttl|title=Emperor of Korea |years=19 July 1907 – 29 August 1910 |dynasty=}} {{S-non|reason=Empire dissolved|reason2=Annexed by Japan}} {{s-roy}} {{s-new|reason=Korea under Japanese rule}} {{s-ttl|title=King Yi<br />(Changdeokgung)|years=29 August 1910 – 24 April 1926}} {{S-aft|after=Yi Un}} {{S-pre|Joseon}} {{S-new|loss}} {{S-tul|title=Emperor of Korea |years=29 August 1910 – 24 April 1926 |reason=Empire abolished in 1910}} {{S-aft|after=Crown Prince Euimin}} {{S-end}} {{House of Yi}} {{King Yi of Korea}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sunjong of Korea, Emperor}} Category:1874 births Category:1926 deaths Category:Korean Empire emperors Category:Dethroned monarchs