Sunjong of Korea

Sunjong, the Emperor Yunghui (Hangul: 융희제; hanja: 隆熙帝; RR: Yunghuije; MR: Yunghŭije; 25 March 1874 – 24 April 1926), was the second and final Emperor of Korea, ruling from 1907 until 1910. He was the final ruler of the Yi dynasty.

Biography

Sunjong was the fourth son of Emperor Gwangmu and Empress Myeongseong. Crown Prince Yi Cheok (Sunjong) was made Emperor Yung-hui when Japan forced the abdication of Emperor Gwangmu in 1907. Sunjong ruled for just three years; his reign ended with the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty in August 1910. Japan then abolished the Korean Empire, ending 519 years of Korean rule under the same family. After the annexation treaty the former emperor Sunjong and his wife, Empress Sunjeong, lived the rest of their lives virtually imprisoned in Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul.

Death

Sunjong died on 24 April 1926 in Changdeokgung and is buried with his two wives at the imperial tomb of Yureung (유릉, 裕陵) in the city of Namyangju. His state funeral on 10 June 1926 was a catalyst for the June 10th Movement against Japanese rule.