The Japanese occupation of Gyeongbokgung Palace (Korean: 일본군의 경복궁 점령) or the Gabo Incident occurred on 23 July 1894, during the ceasefire of the Donghak Peasant Revolution and the beginning of the Sino-Japanese War.

On 1 June 1894, rumors reached the Donghaks that the Chinese and Japanese were on the verge of sending troops, and so the rebels agreed to a ceasefire with the Joseon government to remove any grounds for foreign intervention.

[2] On 3 June, King Gojong, on the recommendation of the Min clan and at the insistence of Yuan Shikai, requested aid from the Chinese government in suppressing the Donghak Rebellion.

Although the rebellion was not as serious as it had initially seemed and so the Chinese forces were not necessary, the Qing government decided to send 2,500 men under the command of General Ye Zhichao to the harbor of Asan, about 70 km (43 mi) from Seoul.

The troops destined for Korea sailed onboard three British-owned steamers chartered by the Chinese government, arriving at Asan on 9 June.

[2][3] Closely watching the events on the peninsula, the Japanese government had quickly become convinced that the rebellion would lead to Chinese intervention in Korea.

As a result, soon after learning of the Korean government's request for Chinese military help, all Japanese warships in the vicinity were immediately ordered to Pusan and Chemulpo.

[4] A formation of 420 sailors, selected from the crews of warships anchored in Chempulo, was immediately dispatched to Seoul, where they served as a temporary counterbalance to the Chinese troops camped at Asan.

Japanese Minister Plenipotentiary to Korea Ōtori Keisuke requested Gojong establish an electric cable between Hanseong and Busan for military use and a barracks to house their troops.

[7] On 22 July, at around 10:00 pm at the Japanese Legation, Otori ordered Ōshima and his IJA 9th Infantry Brigade to march to Hansŏng and surround the Gyeongbokgung palace.

[11] On 23 July, the Japanese approached Heungseon Daewongun, who was under house arrest Gojong had placed him as someone amenable to be Korea's leader in growing their sphere of influence on Joseon.

[11] Major Keizo Yamaguchi led the 2nd Battalion against 500 Mounted Guard Infantry (기영병; 箕營兵; Giyeongbyeong) from Pyeongyang defending Yeongchumun and Shinmumun armed with Mauser Model 1871 rifles.

[14] Yamaguchi detoured to the east, and west sides of Gyeongbokgung Palace rendezvoused with the troops who entered through Shinmumun to secure Hamhwadang residence.

[11] The Japanese captured the armory storing 3,000 rifles, including Mausers, Remingtons, and Martinis, 8 Gatling guns, 20 artillery pieces, and horses.

[7] On 25 July, King Gojong summoned Minister Ōtori to the court to announce his surrender of political control to his father, while acting in consultation with him.

Their first acts were to disband the Capital Guards Garrison,[citation needed] expel Qing forces, and request Japan to dispatch more troops to Korea.