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Emperor Sunzong's imperial admonitions and the truth about the annexation of Japan and Korea.A life spent playing billiards as a hobby and listening to the gramophone at night.

2021-05-13  Category:Annexation of Japan and Korea

Emperor Sunzong's imperial admonitions and the truth about the annexation of Japan and Korea.A life spent playing billiards as a hobby and listening to the gramophone at night.

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Japan-Korea annexation promoted by pro-Japanese forces

In 1909, the movement for the annexation of Korea and Japan became stronger, and Prime Minister Lee Wan-yong, with the support of pro-Japanese groups such as Iljin-kai, proceeded to discuss the annexation of Korea with the Japanese government. On August 22nd, the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty was signed.

On August 29th, the treaty came into effect with the approval of the emperors of both countries, and the Korean Empire collapsed and came under the control of the Japanese Governor-General of Korea. The following is an imperial admonition issued by Emperor Sunjong, the last emperor of the Joseon Dynasty, to the Korean Peninsula, and was also published in newspapers.

Imperial admonition of Emperor Sunjong of the Korean EmpireI have done a tremendous amount of work and have striven for the Restoration ordinance from my accession to the present day. The road ahead is still steep, the country is weakened, and exhaustion is everywhere, leaving us at a loss.
This situation cannot be brought to an end.
Rather, we should entrust them with great responsibilities and obtain perfect methods and innovative achievements. For this reason, I have personally decided to transfer the right to govern Korea to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, a neighboring country, to solidify peace in the East and ensure the life and safety of the Korean people. The people should deeply understand the state of the country and the times, work without confusion, submit to the new civilized government of the Japanese Empire, and enjoy its happiness. I have never forgotten the people. It was born out of the true intention of saving and making use of the people, so please understand this well.
August 29, 1910

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The life of Junshu after that

After the annexation, Sunjong (Lee Ben) lived in Changdeokgung Palace in Gyeongseong-fu, was established as a king, and was called ``King Yi.'' Before the annexation, he was so weak both mentally and physically that he was unable to walk without the support of his attendants, but by this time he was able to walk and began to respond cheerfully. Masatake Terauchi said that this may be because he was ``freed from the pain of national troubles.''

After his abdication, Sumjong lived a graceful life

``Li Wang'' was very nervous, and he checked his own clock to wake up, take a bath, and go to bed on time. He played his hobby of billiards from 2pm to 4pm on weekdays and listened to the gramophone at night.

Also, like his father Gojong, who became King Yi Tae, he had an excellent memory, and it is said that he never forgot the names of the people he had an audience with. He loved the French cuisine of Kaneyoshi Yoshikawa, the first head chef of the Imperial Hotel, and ate it almost every day.

Summune who respected His Majesty the Emperor

In June 1917, he visited Japan and had an audience with Emperor Taisho, who had visited Korea 10 years earlier. In November, a fire destroyed most of Changdeokgung Palace, and they moved to the remaining building called Rakuseonjae, but it was too small.

Lee Wan-yong considered moving to Deoksugung Palace, where King Lee lived, but when Lee heard this, Lee reprimanded him and said, ``Don't move, it's Changdeok Palace given to you by His Majesty the Emperor.'' After that, he lived in Nakseongjae for two years until the restoration of Changdeokgung Palace was completed.

It is believed that Shirosuke Gondo, the administrative official of the King of Yi, believed that the rituals of the King of Lee would be preserved by the title of ``Changdeokgung''.



POINT

Korea claims that they were forced to annex Japan and Korea, but no matter how you look at Sunjong's imperial admonitions and his subsequent life and behavior, it doesn't seem that way.