Crown Prince Euimin
Encyclopedia
Prince Imperial Yeong, the Crown Prince Uimin (also Euimin), also known as Yi Un, Yi Eun, Lee Eun, and Un Yi (20 October 1897 – 1 May 1970), was the 28th Head of Korean Imperial House, and the last crown prince
of Korea
.
The prince was born on 20 October 1897 at Deoksu Palace
in Seoul
as the seventh son of Gojong, the Gwangmu Emperor. His mother was the Honorable Princess Consort Eom Seon-yeong, a palace attendant, who was posthumously awarded the title of Princess Sunheon. He was also the younger half-brother of Emperor Sunjong and Prince Imperial Ui. He was titled Prince Imperial Yeong in 1900, and became the crown prince in 1907, despite being younger than Prince Ui. Prince Ui's support base at court was not strong because his own mother, Lady Jang, had already died.
In December 1907, he was taken to Japan on the pretext of receiving a modern education. He was enrolled at the Peers School (Gakushuin) and the Imperial Army Academy, both in Tokyo. In 1920 he married Princess Masako of Nashimoto
(born 4 November 1901 – ), the eldest daughter of Prince Nashimoto Morimasa, on 28 April 1920 at Tokyo
. In 1910, when Korea was annexed by Japan and Emperor Sunjong was forced to abdicate, he was titled His Royal Highness
Crown Prince of Korea. On 10 June 1926, upon the death of Emperor Sunjong and his funeral, he became King Ri of Korea (demoted Korean sovereign's title after the Japan-Korean Annexation Treaty).
Prince Yi Eun (also known as Prince Ri Gin in Japan) served in the Japanese Army
as Commanding Officer of the 59th Regiment, the 4th Depot Division, and then later the 51st Division
. He also served in the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force with the rank of lieutenant general, commanding IJA 1st Air Army. He further served as Instructor at Military Staff College
, attached to the Inspectorate General of Military Training
and became a Member of the Supreme War Council
during wartime.
After Korea became independent of the Empire of Japan
in 1945, he requested permission from President Syngman Rhee
to be allowed to return to Korea with his family, but was refused. The prince was offered the position of Korean Ambassador to the Court of St. James's in 1960, but refused on the grounds of ill health. In November 1963, President Park Chung-hee
) granted permission for him and his wife, Crown Princess Bangja, to return to Korea. By that time he was an invalid, unconscious from cerebral thrombosis. He received treatment at St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul.
In his final years, he lived at Nakseon Hall, Changdeokgung
Palace, the former residence of Imperial house in Seoul, with Bangja and his younger sister Princess Deokhye
. Seven years after returning to his country, he died on 1 May 1970 at Nakseon Hall, Changdeok Palace, Seoul. He was buried at Hongyureung in Namyangju, near Seoul and is known posthumously as Crown Prince Euimin of Korea.
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
of Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
.
The prince was born on 20 October 1897 at Deoksu Palace
Deoksugung
Deoksugung, also known as Gyeongun-gung, Deoksugung Palace, or Deoksu Palace, is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by various Korean royalties until the colonial period around the turn of the 20th century. The buildings are of varying construction, including some of natural...
in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
as the seventh son of Gojong, the Gwangmu Emperor. His mother was the Honorable Princess Consort Eom Seon-yeong, a palace attendant, who was posthumously awarded the title of Princess Sunheon. He was also the younger half-brother of Emperor Sunjong and Prince Imperial Ui. He was titled Prince Imperial Yeong in 1900, and became the crown prince in 1907, despite being younger than Prince Ui. Prince Ui's support base at court was not strong because his own mother, Lady Jang, had already died.
In December 1907, he was taken to Japan on the pretext of receiving a modern education. He was enrolled at the Peers School (Gakushuin) and the Imperial Army Academy, both in Tokyo. In 1920 he married Princess Masako of Nashimoto
Bangja, Crown Princess Euimin of Korea
Yi Bangja, Crown Princess Uimin of Korea was the consort of Crown Prince Euimin of Korea...
(born 4 November 1901 – ), the eldest daughter of Prince Nashimoto Morimasa, on 28 April 1920 at Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. In 1910, when Korea was annexed by Japan and Emperor Sunjong was forced to abdicate, he was titled His Royal Highness
Royal Highness
Royal Highness is a style ; plural Royal Highnesses...
Crown Prince of Korea. On 10 June 1926, upon the death of Emperor Sunjong and his funeral, he became King Ri of Korea (demoted Korean sovereign's title after the Japan-Korean Annexation Treaty).
Prince Yi Eun (also known as Prince Ri Gin in Japan) served in the Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
as Commanding Officer of the 59th Regiment, the 4th Depot Division, and then later the 51st Division
51st Division (Imperial Japanese Army)
The 51st Division was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was formed on 10 July 1940 at Utsunomiya, Tochigi, and was assigned to the Eastern District Army. Under the command of Lieutenant General Kenichiro Ueno, upon formation the division's infantry group consisted of three...
. He also served in the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force with the rank of lieutenant general, commanding IJA 1st Air Army. He further served as Instructor at Military Staff College
Army War College (Japan)
The ; Short form: of the Empire of Japan was founded in 1882 in Minato, Tokyo to modernize and Westernize the Imperial Japanese Army. Much of the empire's elite including prime ministers during the period of Japanese militarism were graduates of the college....
, attached to the Inspectorate General of Military Training
Inspectorate General of Military Training
The was responsible for all non-military aviation training of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was headed by an Inspector general who was responsible for overseeing technical and tactical training, and who reported directly to the Emperor of Japan via the Imperial General Headquarters rather than to...
and became a Member of the Supreme War Council
Supreme War Council
The Supreme War Council was a central command created by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George to coordinate Allied military strategy during World War I. It was founded in 1917, and was based in Versailles...
during wartime.
After Korea became independent of the Empire of Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
in 1945, he requested permission from President Syngman Rhee
Syngman Rhee
Syngman Rhee or Yi Seungman was the first president of South Korea. His presidency, from August 1948 to April 1960, remains controversial, affected by Cold War tensions on the Korean peninsula and elsewhere. Rhee was regarded as an anti-Communist and a strongman, and he led South Korea through the...
to be allowed to return to Korea with his family, but was refused. The prince was offered the position of Korean Ambassador to the Court of St. James's in 1960, but refused on the grounds of ill health. In November 1963, President Park Chung-hee
Park Chung-hee
Park Chung-hee was a Republic of Korea Army general and the leader of South Korea from 1961 to 1979. He seized power in a military coup and ruled until his assassination in 1979. He has been credited with the industrialization of the Republic of Korea through export-led growth...
) granted permission for him and his wife, Crown Princess Bangja, to return to Korea. By that time he was an invalid, unconscious from cerebral thrombosis. He received treatment at St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul.
In his final years, he lived at Nakseon Hall, Changdeokgung
Changdeokgung
Changdeokgung, also known as Changdeokgung Palace or Changdeok Palace, is set within a large park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Because of its location east of Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung, with Changgyeonggung,...
Palace, the former residence of Imperial house in Seoul, with Bangja and his younger sister Princess Deokhye
Deokhye, Princess of Korea
Princess Deokhye of Korea was the last Princess of Korea.She was born on 25 May 1912 at Changdeok Palace in Seoul. She was the youngest daughter of Emperor Gwangmu and his concubine, Lady Bongnyeong. In 1917, her name was formally entered into the Imperial Family's registry...
. Seven years after returning to his country, he died on 1 May 1970 at Nakseon Hall, Changdeok Palace, Seoul. He was buried at Hongyureung in Namyangju, near Seoul and is known posthumously as Crown Prince Euimin of Korea.
Children
- Yi Jin (born 18 August 1921 – ), the elder son of Prince Eun and his wife, Princess BangjaBangja, Crown Princess Euimin of KoreaYi Bangja, Crown Princess Uimin of Korea was the consort of Crown Prince Euimin of Korea...
. He died abruptly during a visit to Korea with his parents, fueling conspiracy theories. His funeral was held on 17 May 1922 and he is buried in KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. No issue. - Yi Gu (born 29 December 1931 – ), the second son of Prince Eun and his wife, Princess Bangja. Prince Gu became the 29th Head of the Korean Imperial Household upon the death of his father. No issue.
Titles from birth
- His Royal Highness The PrincePrincePrince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
Eun of Korea (1897–1900) - His Imperial Highness The Prince Imperial Yeong of Korea (1900–1907)
- His Imperial Highness The Crown PrinceCrown PrinceA crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
Eun of Korea (1907–1970)- His Royal Highness The Crown Prince Lee of Korea (1910–1926)
- His MajestyMajestyMajesty is an English word derived ultimately from the Latin maiestas, meaning "greatness".- Origin :Originally, during the Roman republic, the word maiestas was the legal term for the supreme status and dignity of the state, to be respected above everything else...
The KingMonarchA monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
Lee of Korea (1926–1945)
- The Crown Prince Euimin of Korea (Posthumous Title)