The Qing army Gojong summoned seized his father - and toppled his rule

A twelve-year-old king inherits the throne and power brokers; as foreign treaties and palace coups close in, how does he hold on to rule? The Qing army Gojong summoned seized his father - and toppled his rule In this episode, we follow Yi Myeong-bok’s ascent from obscure royal branch to king at twelve and the decade-long shadow his father cast over the throne. We trace the key decisions, foreign treaties, rebellions, alliances, and interventions that shaped his rule - and ask what costs those choices imposed. Person: Yi Myeong-bok (Gojong) Person: Yi Ha-eung (Heungseon Daewongun) Person: Queen Min (from the Yeoheung Min clan) Event: Treaty of Ganghwa (1876) Event: Imo Rebellion (1882) - A twelve-year-old Yi Myeong-bok enters Changdeokgung Palace on December 9 and is crowned December 13, 1863, with no personal power base. - His father, the Daewongun, assumes real authority immediately, operating as de facto ruler despite Queen Sinjeong’s formal regency until 1874. - Queen Min and the Yeoheung Min clan build alliances that force the Daewongun into retirement in 1874, giving Gojong his first real authority. - The Treaty of Ganghwa (1876) opens Korean ports and grants extraterritorial rights to Japan, intensifying foreign pressure on the court. - During the Imo Rebellion (summer 1882) unpaid soldiers seize the arsenal; Gojong requests Qing aid and on July 7 Qing troops seize the Daewongun and take him to China. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].