Japanese Troops Seize Gyeongbok Palace in 1894

The Donghak uprising brought Qing and Japanese troops to Korea in June 1894. After a truce at Jeonju, the Korean government wanted both armies to withdraw. Japan instead pressed for reforms and changes in Korea’s relationship with Qing China. The 1885 agreement between Japan and Qing China required notification of deployments; it supplied no Korean authorization to seize the court.

On July 23 Japanese forces entered Gyeongbok Palace after fighting the royal guards. Envoy Ōtori Keisuke directed the operation carried out by Ōshima Yoshimasa’s troops. They secured Gojong and brought his father, the Daewongun, into the government under escort. Authority was reorganized with Japanese demands and troops controlling the royal setting.

The resulting government requested Japanese action against the Qing force at Asan. Naval fighting began off Pungdo on July 25, followed by the land battle at Seonghwan on July 29. Both countries formally declared war on August 1. The occupation had thus changed the Korean government from a party requesting foreign withdrawal into a source of a request Japan used for its campaign.

Korean reformers also pursued changes to administration and social institutions. Their aims did not remove the coercion surrounding the new government. In the wartime arrangement, Korea was required to assist Japanese military movement and supplies. Its king remained on the throne, but armed control of his court sharply reduced his ability to reject Japan’s demands.