The Korean Empire was the state proclaimed by King Gojong of the Joseon dynasty, who took the title of emperor to assert Korea's sovereignty and equality with China, Japan and the Western powers. He had taken refuge in the Russian legation in Seoul, and after returning to his palace he launched a program of modernization known as the Gwangmu Reform, which brought electric lighting, trams and railways. Korea remained caught between the ambitions of Japan and Russia, and Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War left it free to take over Korean affairs. After a protectorate treaty in 1905, Gojong was forced to abdicate in 1907 for sending envoys to the Hague conference. Japan formally annexed Korea in 1910.
Before and after
- 20 August 1897Ronald Ross shows that mosquitoes transmit malaria
- 12 September 1897Birth of Irène Joliot-Curie
- 25 September 1897Birth of William Faulkner
- 26 September 1897Birth of Paul VI
- from 12 October 1897 to 29 August 1910Korean Empire
- 29 October 1897Birth of Joseph Goebbels
- 1 November 1897Founding of Juventus FC
- 18 November 1897Birth of Patrick Blackett
- 1898Discovery of radium
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The era
This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 19th century.