Yi Ha-Ung
(1821–1898), Korean statesman. Yi Ha-ung, also known as the Taewon'gun, served as the de facto regent of the Yi (Choson) dynasty (1392– 1910) from the time his twelve-year-old son, Kojong, assumed the throne in 1864 until 1873 when he relinquished power to his son. During his tenure as regent, the Taewon'gun set about restoring the power and prestige of the Yi dynasty by inaugurating farreaching reforms. He appointed officials to the bureaucracy on the basis of merit, regardless of clan or regional affiliation. In order to restore the financial stability of the monarchy, he closed the large, taxexempt Confucian academies known as sowon and imposed taxes on Yangban (hereditary aristocracy) and commoners alike. The Taewon'gun succeeded in restoring financial stability, even though he undertook the rebuilding of Kyongbok Palace, destroyed two centuries earlier in the Hideyoshi Invasion.
Diplomatically, the Taewon'gun pursued a policy of isolation with regard to Japan as well as the West. He modernized the army and upgraded defensive installations along the Korean coastline, thus repelling military incursions by the French, Russians, Americans, and Chinese. Domestically, the Taewon'gun suppressed Catholicism, which he perceived as a threat. Eventually, Yi was forced to relinquish power to his son by Confucian officials and the family of Queen Min.
Further Reading
Eckert, Carter J., Ki-baik Lee, Young Ick Lew, Michael Robinson, and Edward W. Wagner. (1990) Korea Old and New: A History. Seoul: Ilchokak.
Lone, Stewart, and Gavan McCormack. (1993) Korea since 1850. New York: St. Martin's.
This is the complete article, containing 242 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
