[1] The Chinese made no significant response at that time and King Gojong began a modest effort to modernize the country to allow it to better withstand foreign pressure.

This upset conservative elements in the army and the population which led to the Imo Incident of 1882 where the rioters attacked the Japanese Legation, forcing the diplomats to take refuge aboard a British ship and in the royal palace.

The Chinese sent troops that crushed the rebellion and they reasserted control over Joseon, reducing it to a vassal state, rather than resuming its previous pro-forma tributary status.

It was of great interest to Japan because of her high speed, powerful armament, armor protection and relatively low cost, especially since the IJN lacked the resources at the time to purchase ironclads.

[7] They were fitted with a plough-shaped naval ram of mild steel below the waterline[8] and had a partial double bottom extending between the forward and aft magazines.

The engines were designed to produce a total of 7,500 indicated horsepower (5,600 kW) with forced draught to give the ships a maximum speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).

They carried a maximum of 800 long tons (810 t) of coal which gave them a range of about 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at a speed of 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph).

[7] As built, the main battery of the Naniwa-class cruisers consisted of two 35-caliber 260 mm (10.2 in) Elswick Ordnance Company cannon of 28 ton in barbettes fore and aft of the superstructure.

[9] After the First Sino-Japanese War, both Naniwa and Takachiho were re-armed with eight Elswick QF 6 inch /40 naval guns in order to increase stability and standardize on ammunition for the fleet.