| |
| 1895, Oct. 8 |
| |
Queen Min was murdered in a plot planned in conjunction with the Japanese legation minister, Miura Gor (1846–1926). Japan's commanding position was immediately challenged by popular risings. Generally, the country became divided into a conservative, anti-Japanese force and a reformist, pro-Japanese force. The latter was, at first, represented by the Independence Club. | 1 |
| |
| 1896, Feb. 11 |
| |
| The king fled to the Russian legation in the course of another insurrection. Remaining under Russian protection for a year, he was used by the Russians as they supplanted the Japanese as the dominant influence on the peninsula. A mission of Russian advisers and teachers was formed, a Russian-Korean bank was founded, and timber and mining concessions were granted to the Russians. The Japanese felt compelled to conclude with Russia (June 9) the Lobanov-Yamagata Agreement, which established a type of condominium: Russia and Japan would cooperate in the reform of the Korean army and finances. In practice the agreement proved virtually worthless, and Russian penetration continued unabated. | 2 |
| |
| July 2 |
| |
S Chae-p’il (1864–1951), recently returned from the United States, founded the Independence Club. The members were frequently critical of government officials. Among the early members was Yi S ng-man (Syngman Rhee, 1875–1965). The club became a citizens' forum and popular educational outlet. They issued a newspaper, Tongnip Sinmun (The Independent), bilingually in han'gl and English, edited by S Chae-p'il. The goals of the club included protection of Korea's independence from foreign imperialism, self-strengthening reforms to complete the earlier Kabo reforms, and a popular rights movement for eventual popular sovereignty. The club was dissolved in early Nov. 1898; popular action forced the king to allow it to be revived. On Dec. 26, King Kojong, prompted by the club's growing appeal and fears of its intentions, dissolved the Independence Club once and for all. Many leaders were arrested, resulting in widespread riots and disorder. The more conservative (pro-Russian) and the more reformist (pro-Japanese) cliques were on the verge of open warfare. | 3 |
| |
| |
