Noble Blood: The Murder of the Last Korean Queen
Episode Release Date: June 17, 2025
Hosted by Dana Schwartz, produced by iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild
Introduction
In this gripping episode of Noble Blood, host Dana Schwartz delves into the tragic and brutal assassination of Korea's last queen, Queen Min (Empress Myeongseong). The episode meticulously reconstructs the events leading up to her murder on October 8, 1895, exploring the complex political landscape of late 19th-century Korea and the intricate web of power struggles that culminated in her untimely death.
Historical Context: Korea in the Late 1800s
Korea, known then as Choson, had been under the nominal rule of China for centuries. However, in 1876, Japan coerced Korea into opening its borders, thrusting the isolated kingdom into the tumultuous arena of international politics. This shift introduced new foreign influences from China, Japan, Russia, and the United States, each vying for dominance over the Korean Peninsula.
Dana Schwartz explains:
"Korea was entirely insular until 1876, when Japan forced it to open up, leading to a surge of foreign emissaries aiming to exert their influence."
[Timestamp: 09:00]
Under King Gojong, who ascended to the throne at the tender age of 12 in 1863, Korea's political structure was fraught with factionalism. Although an absolute monarch in name, Gojong was heavily influenced by his father, the Daewangan, who served as regent well past Gojong's coming of age. This dependency stifled the king's authority and fueled internal power struggles.
Queen Min's Rise to Power
Queen Min, originally from the Min clan, married King Gojong in 1866 at the age of 16. Contrary to expectations, she defied the traditional roles of a queen by pursuing her education and actively engaging in the political sphere. Her assertive nature and strategic maneuvering led her to effectively oust her father-in-law from the regency in 1873, establishing herself as a formidable political force alongside King Gojong.
Dana Schwartz notes:
"Queen Min didn’t adhere to the traditional role; she invested time in her education and slowly extricated herself from the secluded Queen's apartments to engage directly in politics."
[Timestamp: 17:45]
Her rise significantly weakened pro-Japanese factions and threatened both Japanese influence and the power dynamics within the Korean court.
Japanese Involvement: The Role of Miura Goro
Amidst these internal conflicts, Miura Goro, a Japanese army commander with limited diplomatic experience, was appointed as Japan's envoy to Korea in 1895. Tasked with curbing Queen Min's growing influence and preventing a shift towards Russian alliances, Miura's abrasive and unqualified approach strained diplomatic relations.
Dana Schwartz explains:
"Miura was incredibly unqualified—little diplomatic experience and a penchant for loyalty to the emperor over the government."
[Timestamp: 23:30]
Frustrated by Queen Min’s resistance, Miura resolved to eliminate her as a political obstacle. He clandestinely conspired with Kenzo Adachi, a Japanese newspaper reporter whose publication served as a propaganda tool for pro-Japanese factions advocating violent measures against the queen.
The Coup and Assassination: October 8, 1895
On the morning of October 8, 1895, a meticulously orchestrated coup unfolded. A mob comprising Japanese expats, Japanese soldiers, Korean police, and civilians stormed the Royal Palace in Seoul. Exploiting the absence of loyal guards, they breached the palace grounds, brutally searching for Queen Min.
Dana Schwartz recounts:
"The mob was so bloodthirsty and crazed that there was no stopping them once they surged into the palace."
[Timestamp: 12:15]
Despite Queen Min’s attempts to disguise herself among 25 identical women and hide within a pile of bedding, the chaos outside led to her discovery. When confronted, her regal composure inadvertently revealed her identity, resulting in her immediate and brutal assassination. Historian Danny Orbach suggests that the mob's misogynistic attitudes and the competitive hunt for her underscored the extreme violence inflicted upon her.
Aftermath: Power Struggles and Trials
Following the assassination, Daewangan attempted to reclaim power by presenting King Gojong with forged documents denouncing Queen Min and asserting his own authority. However, King Gojong's refusal to legitimize these claims sparked public outrage and highlighted Japanese involvement.
Miura and his conspirators were eventually summoned to Japan and faced trial. Despite substantial evidence linking them to the assassination, they were acquitted due to the inability to identify the exact perpetrator. This verdict effectively shielded the Japanese government from accountability, leaving Queen Min's murder shrouded in mystery.
Dana Schwartz remarks:
"The court acquitted all defendants because there was no proof of who exactly killed Queen Min."
[Timestamp: 27:40]
Recent Discoveries: Unveiling the Past
Centuries later, newly discovered documents have shed further light on the assassination. In the 1990s and early 2000s, researchers unearthed:
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A Russian Eyewitness Account: A Russian civilian architect present at the palace during the coup provided a detailed report, confirming Japanese involvement and the brutality of the assault.
Quote from the transcript:
"They grabbed me and tried to force me to locate Queen Min... They did not listen to me and just kept repeating, 'Where is the Queen? Point the Queen out to us.'"
[Timestamp: 34:00] -
Confessional Letters: In 2021, letters discovered at a flea market revealed a Japanese consular assistant openly confessing to participating in the assassination. He wrote:
"We killed the queen... We crossed the wall and barely got into the building where we killed the Queen."
[Timestamp: 36:00]
These revelations underscore the pivotal role of archival research in uncovering historical truths and the enduring impact of Queen Min's legacy.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Empress Myeongseong’s death marked a significant turning point in Korean history. Posthumously honored by King Gojong as Empress, her legacy persists in modern Korean culture through various media representations, including television series, films, and even a Broadway musical. Her struggle and assassination symbolize the resilience and turmoil of Korea during a critical period of its national identity formation.
Dana Schwartz concludes:
"Despite enduring a brutal death, Empress Myeongseong continues to have an impact on Korea and lives on in the Korean consciousness over a century after her passing."
[Timestamp: 30:45]
Conclusion
The assassination of Queen Min was not merely the tragic end of a royal figure but a pivotal event that highlighted the intricate and often brutal interplay of power, foreign influence, and internal politics in late 19th-century Korea. Through meticulous research and the uncovering of historical documents, this episode of Noble Blood provides a comprehensive and engaging narrative of Queen Min's life, her formidable rise to power, and the complex factors leading to her untimely demise.
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