Empress Myeongseong

Born to aristocracy in 1851, she was selected in 1866 by the conservative regent Heungseon Daewongun to marry his son, the future King Gojong. Seven years later she and her Min clan forced the regent out, and the two became bitter rivals: he believed in total isolation to preserve Joseon's independence, while she pushed gradual modernization with Western and Chinese aid. From 1873 until her death she oversaw sweeping economic, military, and governmental reforms. As relations with Meiji Japan soured through the 1880s and 90s, she took a harder line against Tokyo's encroachment, especially after the Daewongun's failed rebellions aimed at ousting her. On 8 October 1895, Japanese Minister Miura Gorō ordered her assassination: the Hullyeondae Regiment stormed Gyeongbokgung Palace and ronin recruited for the task killed her inside. The murder ignited international outrage and nationwide protests; Gojong fled to the Russian legation, Japan-backed reforms collapsed, and in 1897 he proclaimed the Korean Empire and raised her posthumously to empress.