Went to the royal tombs of Hongyureung in Namyangju on Sunday to work on a story for the upcoming issue of SEOUL. The burial place of King Gojong and King Sunjong (and their wives), Hongyuneung is quite different from Joseon tombs — since Gojong and Sunjong were, technically speaking, emperors, their tombs needed to reflect the promotion. This tomb complex is modeled on Xiaoling Tomb, the tomb of Hongwu Emperor, the founder of China’s Ming Dynasty.
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Nice, can not believe I have still not been there. If I might make a suggestion – have you ever thought about going to Taewon’gun’s father’s tomb? I understand that the local government has erected a memorial denouncing Oppert’s grave-robbing attempt. If you decide to go, let me know, I would like to tag along.
My best to the Mrs.
The royal tombs around Seoul are a nice day trip. I became interested in seeing them after reading Through Gates of Seoul by Edward Adams. Nestled in the hillsides, the area around the tombs is scenic and generally uncrowded, even on weekends. Donguneung east of Seoul and Seosamneung near Goyang are accessible by bus. The infamous Chang Hee-bin’s now empty tomb is within the grounds of Seosamneung. Making the trek out to see the tombs is more worthwhile if you know the life stories of those buried there.
Fully agree with you Sonagi. If you get a chance, visit some of the old Joseon sites with Peter Bartholomew….I always find his take on things interesting despite the occasional conflict with my own views – I have so much to learn.
Actually, Gojong was emperor not King.
he was first and last emperor of Korean empire.
What Korean empire? Did Joseon have some colonies or overseas possessions not documented in mainstream history books?
Yup. 한국어 할 수 있으신거 아니까 : 여기 링크 걸렸어요.
고종황제..대한제국..It was a great big empire which ruled as far as Dokdo..kkk
http://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%8C%80%ED%95%9C%EC%A0%9C%EA%B5%AD
http://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%8C%80%ED%95%9C%EC%A0%9C%EA%B5%AD_%EA%B3%A0%EC%A2%85
Actually, I was 고민ing what to title the post. I suppose I could have named it “Tomb of the Gwangmu Emperor,” but then people would wonder who the hell that is. Then I’ve got to explain, “Oh, it’s just Gojong.”
It doesn’t matter Joseon empire was small or not, Gojong declared himself as Emperor of Korea. So he was emperor, did Japanese emperor needed foreigners approvals to called them Emperor of Japan?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Empire
Yeah I was also thinking about Japan too. It’s a two-to-one mapping. Both 천황(which is unique to japan) and 황제 are translated into the word Emperor in English, so even though now Japan is no longer an empire, they still have 천황, i.e. Emperor.
It’s all lost in translation I think.
Koreans usually call him 고종황제. i.e. Emperor Kojong (not 광무, I didn’t know this name) should suffice. But I don’t really mind as a Korean.. It’s all lost in translation just like foreigner, wegukin, miguksaram, Gaijin..
Kojong’s title change was mainly an attempt to put himself on the same level as Japan and China, both of which were Empires. This move to declare himself Emperor was a source of entertainment to many of the Westerners, diplomats and businessmen/missionaries. Kojong made a lot of attempts in the 1890s, especially the latter part, to give his country and himself more respect in the arena of nations including the somewhat laughable declaration that Korea would help enforce the Bering (Behring) Sea seal accord even though he had no warships.
Yes, I also wondered if there were any other coutries which just declared itself an empire “just because”. It’s funny, I agree.
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