Joseon royal family politics: A deadly gift

The serenity of Unhyeon Palace in 2015 Courtesy of Jon Dunbar

By Robert Neff

Nestled quietly in the center of downtown Seoul, Unhyeon Palace is probably the least-known of the palaces and royal residences in the city. It is a juxtaposition of the past and the present. The modern displays distract from the beauty of the buildings and the present serenity contrasts sharply with its Machiavellian past. This palace was the royal residence of Heungseon Daewongun, the father of the last king of Joseon.

Gojong was only 12 years old when he ascended the throne in 1864, and his father (Heungseon Daewongun) served as regent until 1873 when the young monarch declared his intention to assume control of the kingdom. To what degree Queen Min (later Empress Myeongseong) played a role in the young king's sudden assertiveness is debatable, but there is no doubt that there was a great deal of animosity between her and Heungseon Daewongun. Not that his son had retained complete control of his kingdom; Heungseon Daewongun went ― unwillingly ― into retirement, but it was retirement in name only, for, from the shadows of Unhyeon Palace, his name was associated with palace intrigue.

Gojong may have been the monarch, but many have suggested that the true power lay with Queen Min, who ruled the country from the confines of the palace through her adopted older brother Min Seung-ho (1830-75).

Unhyeon Palace in 2015 Courtesy of Jon Dunbar

History has been rather unkind to Min Seung-ho, as he is described as being "unable to exert positive leadership because he was not too bright, weak, easily deceived by others, and incapable of handling government affairs." These are powerful negative characterizations but historian James Palais concedes that Min Seung-ho "may have exerted considerable influence behind the scenes."

Considering how dangerous politics in Joseon could be, Min Seung-ho does seem to have been too trusting and easily deceived by others, and these were fatal traits.

On Jan. 5, 1875, he was enjoying a meal at home, when he was interrupted with the arrival of a package. There are several different accounts of what transpired with the arrival of this package:

Homer B. Hulbert ― who resided in Seoul from the 1880s through the early part of the 1900s, and possibly obtained his information from people in the know ― claimed, "Min Seung-ho received a letter purporting to be from a certain party with whom he was on intimate terms," along with a box wrapped in silk. The letter instructed him "to open [the box] only in the presence of his mother and son."

If the walls of Unhyeon Palace could talk, what tales would they tell? Unhyeon Palace in 2015. Courtesy of Jon Dunbar

Another account claims that it was a Buddhist monk who delivered the box and had mentioned that it contained "blessings" (perhaps referring to bribes or blessings for his deceased biological mother), and that Min Seung-ho should open it where others could not see its contents. The same source indicates that the box was unusually shaped, with a hole and a lock, but the "sillok" (or Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty) seem to indicate that the small box was not unlike those which could be found in the market.

In Hulbert's version, "Late at night in his inner chamber, [Min Seung-ho] opened [the box] in the presence of these members of his family, but when he lifted the cover the [box] exploded with terrific force killing the three instantly and setting the house on fire." Homer went on to note that "Min Seung-ho had but one enemy bold enough to carry out the deed [and] the popular belief that it was done by his great rival is practically undisputed, though no direct evidence perhaps exists."

However, popular accounts claim he went into his inner chamber and when he opened the box, it detonated. The explosion killed his adopted mother (Queen Min's biological mother) and his 10-year-old son immediately ― the sillok indicates three grandchildren were also present ― and Min Seung-ho, although severely burned, managed to point towards Unhyeon Palace and say its name a few times (implicating Heungseung Daewongun) before succumbing to his injuries.

Beautiful places often have dark pasts. Unhyeon Palace in 2015. Courtesy of Jon Dunbar

There was no love lost between Heungseung Daewongun and Queen Min. He ― perhaps correctly ― believed she was responsible for his retirement, and she blamed him for the death of her child. She was now convinced that her father-in-law was attempting to eliminate her family through intimidation and assassination.

There is, however, another possible perpetrator to this act: a member of the Min family. Min Gyu-ho (1836-78), may have assassinated his older brother and his nephew so that he could elevate his own position within the family and the Joseon court. If he truly was the perpetrator, then his plan succeeded.

Over the next two decades, there were several clashes between the Min family and Heungseung Daewongun amounting to an almost tit-for-tat campaign of Machiavellian politics in the form of coups, expulsions, arson and explosions. Korea ― at least in regards to politics ― was anything but the "Land of the Morning Calm."

Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books including, Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.