[K-Women Talk] Minbi or Empress Myeongseong: Standing at the Forefront of Politics

Built Political Power Through In-Laws, Took Center Stage in Politics
A Tumultuous Life Marked by a Tragic End

Looking back now, it is hard to think of another historical figure whose legacy is as multifaceted as that of Empress Myeongseong, also known as Min. The first name I heard for her was "Minbi"-Min being her surname and "bi" denoting her status as queen consort. Yet, this was a somewhat dismissive title, not befitting a formal queen. Around that time, Empress Myeongseong was often referred to as a femme fatale who brought ruin to the nation.

Later, the musical "Empress Myeongseong" debuted. Suddenly, her reputation and public recognition soared, and the line "I am the mother of Joseon" became widely known. From then on, she was depicted as a tragic figure who did her utmost to protect the crumbling nation of Joseon, only to fall victim to tragedy. So, which of these portrayals is true? The interpretations are so vastly different that one might wonder if they are even talking about the same person.

In truth, apart from all the political and historical facts, Empress Myeongseong's life was filled with hardship. Her father, Min Chi-rok, died when she was young, and all her siblings also passed away early, leaving her an only daughter. Perhaps one reason she was chosen as King Gojong's queen was because she had no family. Although she was selected as queen, King Gojong already favored another concubine, with whom he had his first son, Prince Wan-hwa. In many ways, Empress Myeongseong was a queen in name only.

Nevertheless, she drew in distant relatives to form her own political faction. The most notable among them was Min Seung-ho, the younger brother of Lady Yeoheung, wife of Heungseon Daewongun, who became her adoptive older brother. Other relatives from the Min clan also became "maternal relatives" and clashed with her father-in-law, Heungseon Daewongun. What is clear is that Empress Myeongseong was more directly involved in politics than any other queen in Joseon's history.

Then came the bloody political strife. After King Gojong declared his direct rule and Heungseon Daewongun lost power, in 1875, her adoptive brother Min Seung-ho and her biological mother, Lady Yi, were assassinated by a bomb. Heungseon Daewongun, her father-in-law, was identified as the mastermind behind the attack. In 1882, during the Imo Incident, other relatives from the Min clan were brutally killed, and Empress Myeongseong escaped the palace in disguise. At that moment, Empress Myeongseong was declared dead and a national mourning period was announced.

However, after her father-in-law Heungseon Daewongun was taken to Qing China, Empress Myeongseong was able to return as queen. Yet, with the waves of imperialism crashing in from all sides, Joseon's fate was as precarious as a candle in the wind. While the tragic end of Empress Myeongseong is well known, there is another story to tell. She gave birth to five children with King Gojong, but only the second son survived. Even that sole surviving child, Sunjong, was frail and often ill. In the Korean letters Empress Myeongseong wrote to her nephew, she always included wishes for the crown prince's, her son's, health. She is known for her excessive reliance on shamanism and for spending money on rituals, but considering she lost four children and had a sickly surviving son, it is hard not to feel some sympathy for her.

In 1895, during the Eulmi Incident, Empress Myeongseong met a gruesome end and was posthumously demoted to the status of a commoner. However, her son Sunjong opposed this by putting his own position as crown prince on the line. Ultimately, Empress Myeongseong was reinstated as queen, and her husband King Gojong elevated her to the status of empress. Though she had many enemies in life, even the righteous armies rose up in the face of her horrific tragedy. Now, Empress Myeongseong rests at Hongneung in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, after a life filled with hardship. Yet, every time I read the news these days, I cannot help but feel that her tumultuous story is still not over.

Lee Han, historical writer