Korea - The Lost Empire

[Kasumi]

Japan returns Korean royal archives after a century
More than 1,000 Korean royal archives and other centuries-old books Tokyo had promised to return to Seoul are all back home in South Korea for the first time in almost 100 years.

 

[Warren]

A quick note - personal conversations will be removed from the threads as they should be done via PM.

thanks,
Warren

 

[Grandduchess24]

Are there even royals of Korea I know of an elderly Korean prince living in the united states.

 

[Kasumi]

Are there even royals of Korea I know of an elderly Korean prince living in the united states.

See post #87 above.

Current headship in the Korean RF

Won, Hereditary Prince Imperial of Korea (born 1962), a descendant of the Joseon Dynasty (a.k.a. Yi Dynasty) is the contested Head of the Korean Imperial Household and also works as a general manager of Hyundai Home Shopping, a branch of the Hyundai chaebol. He was born as the eldest son of Prince Gap of Korea, the 9th son of Prince Gang by his wife at Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul and became the adopted son of Prince Gu of Korea, the twenty-ninth head of the Imperial house, though legality of the adoption is contested.

Those who dispute the legitimacy of the adoption point out that consent for the adoption of Prince Won was not given by other members of Imperial House, including Prince Seok, the younger half-brother of Prince Gap, and Princess Hae-won, the eldest surviving member of the House. Also, according to present Korean law, the traditional adoption after death of a foster parent to continue the line has been outlawed by legislation as of 2004.

Another problem rises over whether Prince Won or his father Prince Gap is the senior member of the house. While the line of Prince Gang is the senior line following the death of Prince Gu, there are descendants to the elder sons of Prince Gang. Barring the descendant of Prince Geon, the eldest son who had been naturalised as a Japanese after World War II, some members of the House insist that the Headship of House should pass to the descendants of Prince Wu, the second son of Prince Gang. In this case, the rightful Head of the House is Yi Chung, Prince Wu's eldest son.

Prince Won attended the Sangmun High School during 1979-1981 and completed studies in broadcasting at the New York Institute of Technology, United States. He and his wife have had two children, the eldest son born in 1998; the other son born in 1999.

On July 16, 2005, following the death of Prince Gu, some members of the Lee Family Council chose him as the next Head of Korean Imperial Household and they also made his title the Hereditary Prince Imperial (Hwangsason) in the meaning of inherited a title of Prince Gu. His claim is contested by Princess Yi Haewon of Korea who was crowned Empress of South Korea by 12 descendants who felt that she should be Empress, not Prince Won.

She currently lives in an apartment in Wondang, Goyang, Gyeonggi province, Korea with her family.

Known KRF descendants today

Prince Yi Seok
Hereditary Prince Won - he is not 'elderly prince' as grandduchess24 claims, still he lives in US
Empress Yi Haewon

 

[Cory]

IK-Journal

 

[Kasumi]

The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - The 5 Palaces of Seoul
Seoul is home to five royal palaces from the Chosun Dynasty. They generally consist of a host of buildings with the throne hall and royal council hall at the center. Behind the throne hall, where major state events were held, are the sleeping quarters, and to the east is the crown prince's residence. A garden at the back of the palace allowed the king and his family to rest from their duties.
Each building was made of wood and featured a tiled roof and multi-color paintings on the pillars and rafters to illustrate the authority and dignity of the king.

 

[februarybreeze]

Hello! I just want to know the latest news about the korean imperial family. Hope you will be able to help me. Thanks!

 

[semisquare]

Korean Royality

does anyone know what happen to the korean royal family? im courious about Korean Royality because u never hear about them

 

[kathia_sophia]

both North Korea and South Korea are not Monarchies, NK is Juche single-party State while SK is a Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic.
but they had Kings and Royal families, their history is fascinating and i often consider the old Korean Kingdoms and Empires to be one of the most intriging and interesting to know about.

The Korean dynasties:
1. Gojoseon (c. 2333 – 108 BCE)
1.1. Dangun Joseon
1.2. Wiman Joseon
2. Buyeo (2nd century BC – 494 CE)
2.1 Eastern Buyeo
2.2 Later Buyeo
3. Goguryeo (37 BC – 668 AD)
4. Baekje (18 BC – AD 660)
5. Silla (57 BC – 935 CE)
5.1. Unified Silla
6. Gaya confederacy (42–562)
6.1. Geumgwan Gaya
6.2. Daegaya
7. Balhae (698–926)
8. Later Baekje (900–936)
9. Later Goguryeo (901–918)
10. Goryeo (918–1392)
11. Joseon (1392–1897)
12.Korean Empire (1897-1910)

The Korean Empire didnt last long, and thus ending the reign of Monarchs and their Kingdom.

The last Emperor was Sunjong, the Emperor Yunghui, he had 2 consorts but he had no issue. so from him there are no Royal family pretenders.
more info about him:
Sunjong of the Korean Empire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From his father, Gojong, the Emperor Gwangmu, had several consorts and had lots of children. but only 4 of his children survived childhood:
- Sunjong, the Emperor Yunghui (no issue)
- Crown Prince Euimin (2 boys: Yi Jin [no issue] & Yi Gu [no issue but adopted daughter])
- Prince Euihwa (12 sons & 9 daughters)
- Princess Deokhye (1 daughter: Countess Sō Masae [no issue])

From Prince Euihwa, Yi Chung is de jure genealogical heir to the headship of the Imperial family when male primogeniture is applied. However, he has not taken an active position on the debate between leadership of Imperial family.
Prince Euihwa's daughter Yi Haewon on the other side is in a dispute over the contender to the position of head of the Korean Imperial Household with her nephew Won, Hereditary Prince Imperial of Korea. (She lays claim to the title of the Empress of Korea and declared the restoration of Imperial House in her own succession ceremony.) [she has 3 sons & 1 daughter]

Note that this claim is not approved or supported by the republican government of South Korea.

 

[Rhys82192]

There is already a thread in the forum about the Korean Royalty. Maybe this topic should be transferred on the existing thread by the admin:

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f186/korea-the-lost-empire-3016.html

 

[sancakli70]

İ saw many korean soaps about the dynasty and past whats happens like the princess man. is the backround informations on the soaps true ?

 

[Queen Camilla]

No it fiction. They are soap operas, even historical recreations are also fiction fantasy.

 

[kathia_sophia]

Well, most Taehas (long-running soap opera) are about a historical person in the past, so that's actually true, but to captivate the viewers, the production ads fictional elements to the history to make it more applying and interesting. But overall you can say that its 50% fiction and 50% real facts. (and you get to know many things about history in those soap operas)

 

[sancakli70]

Well, most Taehas (long-running soap opera) are about a historical person in the past, so that's actually true, but to captivate the viewers, the production ads fictional elements to the history to make it more applying and interesting. But overall you can say that its 50% fiction and 50% real facts. (and you get to know many things about history in those soap operas)

Thanks the soaps are great you can learn about the culture

 

[Blog Real]

List of monarchs of Korea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_of_Korea

 

[INOCKLUCYRHEE]

GREETINGS. I RECENTLY TRAVELLED TO KOREA FOR DUAL CITIZENSHIP AFTER MY MOTHER DIED IN CALIFORNIA IN 2016. MY FATHER DIED IN CALIFORNIA IN 2006. I WAS BORN IN CALIFORNIA. MY LAST NAME IS RHEE AND I AM 전주 이, JONJOO, E OR YI.

I WANT TO KNOW IF IM A ROYAL DESCENDANT. AFTER I FOUND OUT FROM MY FAMILY RECORDS MY FATHER DIED, I SENT A LETTER TO CONTACT MY RELATIVES. MEANWHILE, I THOUGHT I MAY TRY ONLINE. IVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A WEBSITE FOR THIS Jeonju Lee Royal Family Members Foundation I READ ABOUT IN ARTICLES.

MY FATHER TOLD ME WE ARE NOT RELATED TO THE ROYAL FAMILY OR TO SYNGMAN RHEE, OR ARE FAMOUS IN THIS WAY. I QUESTIONED HIM AFTER SOME CAUCASIAN GROWN UPS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD PRESSED ME REPEATEDLY ABOUT MY RELATIONS AT ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD. I SAID NO OR I WASNT SURE. IRONICALLY, THEY ONLY LEFT ME ALONE AFTER I TOLD THEM WHAT THEY WANTED TO HEAR. I BELIEVE MY FATHER, BUT ID LIKE TO KNOW.

 

[Frozen Royalist]

How about Prince Yi Seok's campaign of advocating a constitutional monarchy for South Korea? I heard of his imperial royal highness saying he'd a signature for the restoration if he had to go through every nook and cranny in all of South Korea just to get it. I mean how do South Koreans feel about him and the former monarchy in general? Are there any serious polls concerning the subject? How about the members of parliament, are there any MPs in favor of restoration?

Personally I don't see the argument of restoring monarchy in South Korea ruining chances of Korean reunification because it is so distant now anyway. Besides I think at this point a restoration in South Korea would be more likely the reunification anyways. Personally I think the idea of a restored Korean Empire sounds rather cool, what do you guys think it would be called in the event of a restoration; Kingdom of Korea, Greater Korean Empire or State of Korea like Japan?

Even though things seem distant in Korea, I do personally believe there are better chances in South Korea then there are in Italy, Germany, Austria, France, Egypt, Iraq and Vietnam. But what do you guys think? Am I a optimistic lunatic wasting your time or am I believing in a worthwhile cause here?

Either way the fact that more tv shows with pro-monarchy vibes being aired on South Korean television and more history being taught about the subject is a good thing.

-Frozen Royalist

Here are some articles for you guys:
https://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/05/yi-seok

Korean prince hopes to bring monarchy back

https://www.washingtonpost.com/life...07/AGkMhjYH_story.html?utm_term=.d0dd72945b6e

 

[Blog Real]

Californian techie becomes Korean crown prince in fairytale twist
Andrew Lee, a Korean-American and self-confessed introvert, was quietly building a successful California tech company before he was unexpectedly named Crown Prince of Korea and suddenly thrust into the limelight.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...PuipB1B8-2vPdMnvUMvfijRAndr2tYii0u84OdBDcxqLc

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

This thread has been interesting to read as I've become more interested in Korean culture lately and am attempting to learn Hangul as one of my New Year's resolutions! I hope to visit South Korea one day, it seems like such an interesting and beautiful country with a rich history and culture.

They're obviously not 100% historically accurate given that they're dramas, though I watched these dramas focusing on different periods within the former Korean monarchy that will be interesting for those who are starting to become interested in the former dynasties:

Hwarang - set in Silla, one of the three kingdoms of the former Korean Peninsula: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80196931 (also available on KissAsian for those who don't have Netflix)

Scarlet Heart Ryeo - set partly in the modern day and mostly in the Goryeo dynasty: https://asiannice.com/drama/moon-lovers-scarlot-heart-ryeo/watch/

Queen Seondeok - another drama based in Silla: https://kissasian.es/Drama/Queen-Seon-Duk/Episode-1?id=11722

 

[INOCKLUCYRHEE]

NEW: IM KOREAN ROYALTY!
2019 MY FAMILY RECORDS WHEN TRANSLATED INDICATED IM FROM THE ROYAL FAMILY; JEONJU; WEBSITE IMPERIALHOUSE.KR-I SENT MY DOCUMENTS TO CONFIRM, AND WAS LATER BLACKLISTED! (SERIOUS ERROR! IM A CAPITALIST.); MY MD AND DDS WERE BOTH KOREAN ROYALTY; 20181006 NEW CROWN PRINCE ANDREW LEE IN LOS ANGELES, CA WAS CROWNED. I MISSED IT. I HAD NO IDEA! "LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Imperial Family of Korea has a new crown prince. His Imperial Highness King Yi Seok, the only remaining heir living in Korea to the Joseon dynasty throne which ruled over the country for five centuries, named Crown Prince Andrew Lee as his successor on Oct. 6 during a Passing of the Sword ceremony inside Crustacean Beverly Hills, California."

POW AND NON COMBATANT
2019 I WROTE TO NORTH KOREA AND US DEMOCRAT COMMUNISTS AND SOCIALISTS TO TELL THEIR FOLLOWERS TO RELEASE AND RESTORE ME. ONLY WHEN IM RELEASED I WILL WRITE IT.

KOREAN IMPERIAL EMBLEM VERY SIMILAR TO TAIWAN'S PSYOP. I EMAILED THEM TO CONSIDER CHANGING BUT THEY BLACKLISTED MY EMAIL AS I STATED. TAIWAN'S KMT WAS MARXIST. DID THEY ACCEPT ROYALTY?

WAR
CHARACTER ASSASSINATION; ELECTRONIC WARFARE EW; INFORMATION WARFARE IW; LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT LIC; NON COMBATANT; POLITICAL WARFARE PW; PRISONER OF WAR POW; TORTURE; AND POSSIBLE VICTIM OF ACTIVE MEASURES ABOUT MY KOREAN ROYALTY.

 

[INOCKLUCYRHEE]

Excellent!

(it wont stay in caps) 201705-09 seoul when i lived in seoul to emigrate, i thought about this!
I felt south koreans would like it. I felt we wanted royalty. I lived very close to gyeongbokgung palace. I often walked the plaza for exercise. Then in 2019 i learned i was korean royalty. My photo was at the palace museum. I was in pain and it showed.

It is excellent his royal highness will put his effort into this! It would be great for south korea. The display behind me is of a joseon queen.

 

[joseonhistorian]

This is my area of study. I am so excited to have found this website. Hello everyone.

 

[Prisma]

Diplomat’s 1895 letter confesses to assassination of Korean queen | The Asahi Shimbun

A former Japanese diplomat confessed to taking part in the 1895 assassination of Korean Empress Myeongseong, according to a Korean historian who examined recently discovered letters that provide a fresh account of the brutal slaying.

Also known as Queen Min, Myeongseong was the wife of Gojong, the 26th king of Joseon, a Korean dynastic kingdom, and was known as an influential figure in the palace.

In one of the letters, the diplomat proclaimed, “We killed the queen,” and went on to detail the circumstances surrounding the assassination.

The slaying, known as “the Eulmi Incident” in Korea, involved a group of people that included Japanese military officers, diplomats and civilians.

The group stormed Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, which was the royal palace of the dynasty, early on the morning of Oct. 8, 1895, and hacked the queen to death with a sword. After killing her, they doused her body with oil and burned it.

The assassination came after the queen sought help from Russia in her attempt to remove Japanese influence from Korea after the Triple Intervention in 1895. That was a diplomatic intervention by Russia, Germany and France over the terms of the Treaty of Shimonoseki.

[...]

Kumaichi Horiguchi (1865-1945), who was assistant consul in Korea, was the diplomat who wrote the eight recently unearthed letters.

[...]