The Centennial of  Emperor Gojong’s Death and State Funeral

On January 21, 1919, Emperor Gojong (b. 1852) passed away at the age of 68. He had been confined in Deoksugung Palace since being forced to abdicate by the Japanese in 1907.

Organized by the Japanese Government-General of Korea, the state funeral for Gojong took place forty days after his passing and performed procedures that had been heavily modified from the traditional rites. Many mourned both the death of Gojong and the prospect of the downgraded funeral procession, both of which seemed to reflect the fate of the nation at the time. Gojong was buried in Hongneung Royal Tomb in Namyangju alongside Empress Myeongseong, whose assassination had been ordered by Japan in 1895.

The death of Gojong provided a catalyst for what became known as the Samil undong, or the March First Movement, the most significant nationwide uprising demanding independence from Japanese occupation rule.

In honor of the centennial of the March First Movement and of the founding of the Korean Provisional Government, the National Palace Museum of Korea is presenting this exhibition to reflect upon the death of Emperor Gojong and his funeral as they sowed the ground for this historical display of Korean resistance.