King Gojong in Russian Diplomatic Mission

The signing of the peace treaty between Japan and China in 1895 led to the fact that Japan took control of the Korean state and carried out socio-economic reform in this country in its own Japan interests. Russia left unanswered the requests from King of Korea Gojong to the Russian government to send military instructors and advisers. In Korea, Queen Ming, who was brutally murdered by the Japanese in 1895, was a symbol of opposition to the policy pursued by the Japanese state. After these tragic events, King Gojong, together with the heir to the throne, decided to move to the Russian diplomatic mission and continued to remain there until October 1987. King Gojong chose Russia because it bordered with the Korean state and could quickly provide assistance if necessary. To strengthen Japan on its border was also not profitable for Russia. All this has led to the strengthening of the influence of the Russian Empire and the weakening of Japanese and Chinese positions. Attempts by King Gojong and Queen Ming to maintain the independence of the Korean state, as well as the move of the king along with the heir to the Russian diplomatic mission are assessed differently in South Korean and North Korean historiography now.