He ruled Korea for 43 years, from 1864 to 1907, first as the last king of Joseon, and then as the first emperor of the Korean Empire from 1897 until his forced abdication in 1907.

His wife, Queen Min (posthumously honored as Empress Myeongseong), played an active role in politics until her assassination carried out by the Japanese.

In 1876, Japan forcefully opened Korea and began a decades-long process of moving the peninsula into its own sphere of influence.

All the while, Gojong attempted to consolidate control, seek foreign support, and modernize the country in order to keep Korea independent.

These reforms were seen as insufficient by some parts of the Korean literati, especially the Independence Club, which Gojong at first tolerated but eventually abolished in 1898.

In 1897, shortly after returning from his internal exile in the Russian legation in Seoul, Gojong proclaimed the establishment of the independent Korean Empire, and became its first emperor.

After Japan defeated Russia in the 1904–1905 Russo-Japanese War, it finally became the sole power in the region, and accelerated its pace of absorbing Korea.

The official cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage but rumors persisted that Gojong had been poisoned by Japan [ko].

[1] During the mid-1860s, the Daewongun was the main proponent of isolationism and was responsible for the persecution of native and foreign Catholics, a policy that led directly to the French and the United States' expeditions to Korea, in 1866 and 1871 respectively.

The early years of the Daewongun's rule also witnessed a concerted effort to restore the largely dilapidated Gyeongbokgung, the seat of royal authority.

[6] Gojong tried to strengthen the king's authority by giving important positions to consort kins and royal family members.

It also established a strong economic presence in the peninsula, heralding the beginning of Japanese imperialist expansion in East Asia.

[1] The Treaty of Ganghwa became the first unequal treaty signed between Korea and a foreign country; it gave extraterritorial rights to Japanese citizens in Korea and forced the Korean government to open three ports, Busan, Chemulpo(Incheon), and Wonsan, to Japanese and foreign trade.

[11] During the Imo incident when Queen Min was taking refuge in her relative's villa, Lady Seon-yeong of the Yeongwol Eom clan showed extreme devotion towards King Gojong.

[12] On 4 December 1884, five revolutionaries attempted a coup d'état by leading a small anti-old minister army to detain King Gojong and Queen Min.

While suppressing this coup, Gojong actively invited Qing only to increase the Yuan Shikai's influence over Korea.

[15] Famine, poverty, crushing taxes, and corruption among the ruling class, led to many notable peasant revolts in the 19th century.

The Gabo reforms and the assassination of the queen stirred controversy in Korea, fomenting Korean anti-Japanese sentiment.

Pro-Japanese government grew, while anti-Japanese politicians were either killed or fled for their survival after the Chun Sang Door Incident in 1895.

[36][further explanation needed] "If this envoy incident is based on a decree, it is believed to be a good opportunity to take decisive action regarding Korea.

"On the previous day, the 6th, Song Byeong-jun, a Minister of Agriculture, Commerce and Industry, made a demand to Emperor Gojong.

The details of this meeting are recorded in "Maechen Yarok" by Hwang Hyeon and "Daehan Gye-nyeon-sa" (A History of Late Korean Empire) written by Jung Gyo.

""Yi Wan-yong drew his sword and shouted in a rough voice, 'Do you not understand what kind of world we are in right now?'

People around tried to stab Yi Wan-yong with a sword, but the Emperor eventually waved him off and said, 'In that case, it would be better to step down first.

The secret provisions of the treaty included the following clauses: all military forces except the Royal Guards will be dissolved.

When Jung Wi-jae refused, Hanmyeong, the commander of the palace guards, drew his sword and shouted at the military dictatorship to resist.

"On that night, at that time, Yi Byeong-mu asked the Japanese for a favor, and if Jung Wi-jae continued to doubt him, he told him to take away his weapons.

[1] Some officials, such as Park Yung-hyo, and Yi Do-jae, tried to assassinate the members of cabinet of Ye Wanyong, who led the abdication.

[42] His death and subsequent funeral proved a catalyst for the March First Movement for Korean independence from Japanese rule.

The couple's grave is now considered a UNESCO World Heritage site, as part of the Royal Tombs of the Joseon dynasty.