However, Princess Masako was selected instead to wed Crown Prince Euimin of Korea who had been held by Japanese government under the pretense of studying abroad in 1917.

After the end of World War II, all former royal and peerage titles were abolished by the American occupation authorities, after which, Princess Masako took the Korean name Yi Bangja.

Republic of Korea President Rhee Syng-man's fear of Crown Prince Euimin's popularity prevented the family's homecoming, and they lived in destitution as Korean residents in Japan.

In November 1963, Yi Bangja and her family came back to Korea at the invitation of President Park Chung Hee and were allowed to live in Changdeok Palace in downtown Seoul.

[4] However, by this time, Crown Prince Euimin was already unconscious from cerebral thrombosis and was rushed to Seoul Sungmo Hospital where he remained bedridden for the rest of his life.