<img src="https://t1.daumcdn.net/cfile/tistory/2461664657E3F10008">
#A new son of Heaven
You are born as ''King Sunjo'', the heir to the thrown. However you are still 10 years old, and thus ''Queen Dowager Jeongsun'' will rule in your place as regent.
[[You take up your position as King->Unwelcome ideas]] <img src="https://t1.daumcdn.net/cfile/blog/99DFF3485DE5FF3415">
#Unwelcome ideas
Your court has decided it is time to halt the spread of Christianity. Your forefather King Yŏngjo already banned the religion in 1758 but despite this it continued to grow. According to the court, partaking in such evil practices should be punished. In 1801, the first prosecution of Catholics began.
You have no influence in the state yet, but wonder if people or outsiders would not get mad?
[[Continue your royal training->Becoming King]] <img src="https://dimg.donga.com/wps/NEWS/IMAGE/2020/11/08/103835976.3.jpg">
#Becoming King
You have reached the age of maturity and are fit to rule as a king. Your power to rule however is not as big as it used to be. Factionalism between various regional groups dominate your court and you must find a path between these to maintain power.
The issue of factionalism is of great concern, you must:
[[Adress the corruption that arises from factionalism inside the country->Adress Factionalism]]
[[Accept the fact and side with a faction to maintain a grip on power->Powers at play]]
(set: $examref to "default")
(set: $faction to "default")<img src="https://www.themoviebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Monstrum-1-1024x576.png">
You a rightly concerned about factionalism and during a session with your court, you mention to the ministers and government officials your intentions to adress corruption brought about.
(align:"==>")+(box:"X=")['전하, this shouldn't be done. There is no proof of corruption, with what proof do you come?, says one of the ministers.']
(align:"<==")+(box:"X=")['전하, Such sudden changes would affect even the royal family itself!' says another minister.]
(align:"==>")+(box:"X=")['전하, You are right in adressing these issues. Your grace is immeasurable.' says a minister from the North]
Your court poses the question on how these reforms should implementend.
(link: "We will implement reforms to the state-exams as soon as possible as they are the main cause of corruption in the central government.")[\
(set: $examref to 'default')\
(go-to: "Change the Exams")\
]
(link: "We must investigate how corruption occurs and begin a process of reforms. Sudden change might not be the best way.")[\
(set: $examref to 'slow')\
(go-to: "Failure to reform")\
]Your decision to mingle with factionalism also requires you to choose what faction to support as king. With faction backing, your power will be immeasurable.
Three factions are open for choosing. Which do you choose?
|factionChoice>[(display: "Faction Choices")]
A good choice, the $faction now holds power over the court and corruption flourishes under your guiding eye.
[[Continue reaffirming your position of power->Hong Kyongnae Rebellion]]Do you choose this faction?
[[Yes->Your Faction]]
(link: "No")[(replace: ?factionChoice)[(display: "Faction Choices")]]
You are considering joining the $faction
(set: $faction to 'Andong Kim')
|North-western>[the North-western faction; People from this region are often discriminated against, siding here might balance power between officals].
|Eastern>[The Eastern faction; used to be powerful but grew less influential after the rise of the Andong Kim clan].
|AndongKim>[the Andong Kim clan; The clan your Queen belongs too].
(click: ?North-western)[(set: $faction to "the North-western faction")(replace: ?factionChoice)
(display: "Confirm Choice")
]
(click: ?Eastern)[(set: $faction to "The Eastern faction")(replace: ?factionChoice)
(display: "Confirm Choice")
]
(click: ?AndongKim)[(set: $faction to "the Andong Kim clan")(replace: ?factionChoice)
(display: "Confirm Choice")
]The exams that control who enters into civil service of the government and the nobility. A lot of corruption takes place to influence outcomes.
Many of your ministers are against your decision and will not cooperate willingly. Only the Northern faction supports you as they are often discriminated against.
You should name your reforms and announce your intentions to the court so they can be executed.
[[How would you like to name your reforms?->Naming]]
#Your reform will become known as the $examref reforms of 1810.
[[Results one year from now->Failure to reform]](if: $examref is "default")[(set: $examref to (prompt: "Define the string:", "not default"))]
(if: $examref is "default")[A king should name the reforms.]
(else:)[[Commence the reforms]]
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRTGZ7FrYrgutJZTzKFwi_BplZIdBUERSOTGw&usqp=CAU">
#The Hong Kyongae rebellion
(if:$examref is not "default" and $faction is not "default")[The failure of the $examref reforms allows for corruption and factionalism to flourish further in court. This begins a top-down structure of corruption. The Hong Hong Kyongnae rebellion is one of the first rebellions aimed at rampant local corruption. The uprising came under a banner of regional solidarity, the northwestern region was discriminated against by most other regions of the peninsula. This all happened amidst near-famine conditions and explains how rebel leaders were able to mobilize large portions of the population from widely varying socioeconomic and status backgrounds.]
(if:$examref is "slow")[Your attempt to implement slow reforms failed and corruption flourishes. The factionalist politics begins a top-down structure of corruption. The Hong Hong Kyongnae rebellion is one of the first rebellions aimed at rampant local corruption. The uprising came under a banner of regional solidarity, the northwestern region was discriminated against by most other regions of the peninsula. This all happened amidst near-famine conditions and explains how rebel leaders were able to mobilize large portions of the population from widely varying socioeconomic and status backgrounds.]
(if:$faction is "the North-western faction")[Your engagement in factionalist politics begins a top-down structure of corruption. The Hong Hong Kyongnae rebellion is one of the first rebellions aimed at rampant local corruption. The uprising came under a banner of regional solidarity, the northwestern region was discriminated against by most other regions of the peninsula. This all happened amidst near-famine conditions and explains how rebel leaders were able to mobilize large portions of the population from widely varying socioeconomic and status backgrounds. The rebellion acknowledges your support of $faction, but it proved insufficient.]
(if:$examref is "default" and $faction is not "the North-western faction")[Your engagement in factionalist politics begins a top-down structure of corruption. The Hong Hong Kyongnae rebellion is one of the first rebellions aimed at rampant local corruption. The uprising came under a banner of regional solidarity, the northwestern region was discriminated against by most other regions of the peninsula. This all happened amidst near-famine conditions and explains how rebel leaders were able to mobilize large portions of the population from widely varying socioeconomic and status backgrounds. Your support of $faction increased the corruption.]
[[Crush the rebellion by force->Rebellion crushed]]
[[Engage in talks with the rebellion leaders->Talks]]
(if:$examref is "slow")[You have tried to implement slow reforms but failed. Most government officials did not support your decision to reform. At the same time, your position as young king with little influence makes your power relatively weak. This led to reforms being poorly executed and did not lead to a significant changes in corruption nor factionalism.]
(if:$examref is not "default" and is not "slow")[You have tried to implement the $examref reforms of 1810 but failed. Most government officials did not support your decision to so abruptly reform the State Exams. At the same time, your position as young king with little influence makes your power relatively weak. This led to reforms being poorly executed and did not lead to a significant changes in corruption nor factionalism.]
[[There will be more opportunities for change.->Hong Kyongnae Rebellion]]<img src=https://gwangjunewsgic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2.-Flogging.-Punishment-by-Yang-Jeongwi-700x445.jpg">
You crushed the rebellion with force and reestablished control in the area.
[[You deem it valuable to send a royal inquiry to establish cause and prevent further rebellion.->HKNR Investigation]]
[[With central government forces in the area, further rebellions will be respressed harshly.->Continued uprisings]]
An investigation started, but the court could do little do dampen the cause. Local corruption was rooted in a chain emanating from the central government intself. [[With your power still relatively weak and factional strife within the court, nothing changed and small uprisings continued to take place.->Continued uprisings]]You sent an emissary from the court to negotiate a peaceful ending to the rebellion.
[[You receive a letter from the rebellious area->No peace]] You received word from officials in the rebellious area that your emissary met his end in the camp. The rebels seem determined for their cause.
[[They leave you with no choice..->Rebellion crushed]]<img src="https://t1.daumcdn.net/cfile/tistory/99B0A64B6004D8A906">
The continued uprisings tainted your reign and whilst you might have tried and suppress it, your power is too weak. Your years of weak supression come to an end in 1834. You left no heirs and thus others branches of your dynasty come to power. Eventually two kings pass by in quick succession of you and in 1864, King Gojong comes to power.
[[Continue your journey through 19th century Korea as Gojong.->King Gojong]]You as king Gojong ascend the throne as a child again. Therefore your father will rule in your place.
[[The Daewongun.->Daewon]] <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Heungseon_Daewongun_Portrait.jpg" width="356" height="480">
#Heungseon Daewongun
played a major role in Korean politics after your (King Gojong) ascend to the throne. His main goal was to strenghten the position of king for you. He battled the factionalism inside the court by attempting wide-ranging reforms and strengthening the central goverment.
Daewongun became known for his traditionalism. He attempted wide-ranging reforms to strengthen the king's position, stop factionalism and stop government corruption. He was also a vivid isolationalist, his foreign policies mainly consisted of anti-foreign resistance.
[[Until your ascension to the throne, you will be allowed to play as Daewongun->Donghak]] <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Choe_Je-u.jpg/220px-Choe_Je-u.jpg">
#Ch'oe Cheu - 1864
Ch'oe Cheu started the Tonghak (東學 - Eastern Learning) philosophy. He advocated for a more egalitarian society and fair government. This view is dangerous for the status-quo in Chosŏn, it might cause the downfall of the neo-confucian gentry class.
[[Such ideas are dangerous to the state. Ch'oe shall be executed.->Execute choe]]
[[Whilst he might gain more supporters, executing him will only make a martyr.-> Choe lives]](set: $choe to 'death')
The execution of Ch'oe will serve as a warning to all those who attempt to destabalise the country.
[[Donghak ideology does not have a place in our society->The general sherman]] (set: $choe to 'live')
Ch'oe lives and whilst he might pose a treat later, it is not in the interest of the court to further destablise the country.
[[We shall deal with the Donghak later->The general sherman]] <img src="https://t1.daumcdn.net/thumb/R720x0.fpng/?fname=http://t1.daumcdn.net/brunch/service/user/4E4F/image/RVq9NafDrJzwEmbXdxI7_NCUcVg.png">
#State-led persecution of Korean catholics
The anti catholic campaign starting from 1801 cost the lives of thousands of individuals. Now, in 1866 there was another one where a french missionary was also killed.
(link: "We should stop persecuting catholics. This might draw unwanted attention from the outside.")[\
(set: $pers to 'no')\
(go-to: "The french invasion")\
]
(link: "Western religous thought has no place in our kingdom.")[\
(set: $pers to 'yes')\
(go-to: "The french invasion")\
]<img src="http://anthony.sogang.ac.kr/Zuber/0017.jpg">
#The French Invasion - 1866
(if:$pers is "no")[Whilst we stopped the persecuting Catholics, a french missionary was killed in the last persecutions. The french have come in retaliation. They have raided villages and fortress. Our defense eventually beat back the ships but with heavy casualties and we lost hundreds of books and cultural artifacts that the french took from Kanghwa island.]
(if:$pers is "yes")[The continuation of catholic persecution has now become impossible. a French missionary was killed in the last persecutions. The french have come in retaliation. They have raided villages and fortress. Our defense eventually beat back the ships but with heavy casualties and we lost hundreds of books and cultural artifacts that the french took from Kanghwa island.]
[[A bitter victory->Another attack at Kanghwa]]<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/USS_General_Sherman.jpg">
#The General Sherman - 1866
A messenger rushes into the court.
(align:"==>")+(box:"X=")['A foreign ship is sailing towards the northern capital of Pyongyang!' the messenger said. 'They are foreigners from the united states. The magistrate made clear that our nation seeks no contact but they persist in seeking contact.]
We must act, says your court.
[[We shall attack the invaders and protect our land!-> Attack the sherman]]
[[We shall sent the governor Pak Kyusu to negotiate with the foreigners.-> Negotiate with GS]]
<img src= "https://alchetron.com/cdn/general-sherman-incident-615d8e83-3b24-4891-b6c3-e5ffb352d45-resize-750.jpeg">
Government forces fought with the Americans for a few days until the ship was set afire. The crew was forced to abandon the ship and when reaching the shore, they were beaten to death.
[[We shall protect our nation from invaders.->Catholic pers]]
Pak negotiated with the Americans but an impasse was reached. The Americans did not want to give in. They then abducted a government official and hostilities commenced.
[[We shall protect our lands-> Attack the sherman]] <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Sujagi.jpg">
#Another attack at Kanghwa - 1871
A messenger rushes into the court.
(align:"==>")+(box:"X=")['A US ship attacked our fortress at Kanghwa island! Our troops are in heavy combat. They come as a punitive act for the destruction of the General Sherman but also to open up our country for trade.]
[[You have no choice but to wait for the results.->Defeat at Kanghwa]]
##NOTE:
[[Other photos of this event exist and show more detail. Yet some of the images can be experienced as shocking to some (casualties visible, no details). I think these images are important to show as this is what the US photographer thought importannt to capture that day whilst also making this attack feel more close. You can click this link to see more, or continue the story. you will be able to continue after viewing too.->Kanghwa images]]Our forces fought bravely but could not stop the US troops. They have sent us a ultimatum asking, again, to open up our country for trade.
[[Refuse, we shall not give in to demands.->The americans retreat.]]
[[Accept, we must reform in order to stop the encroachments on our country.->court refuses]]The attack on Kanghwa achieved nothing and further strengthened anti-foreign sentiment amongst Confucian Scholars. The Korean court did not give into demands.
[[It is time for a new King.->Gojong assumes command]]You tried to make concessions but your entire court turned against you. The recent encroaches by foreigners strengthened anti-foreign sentiments within much of the court and confucian noble classes. No opening of the country will be occur now.
[[Gojong will assume his role->Gojong assumes command]] <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Council_of_War_USS_Colorado_June_1871.jpg">
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Ganghwa_3-edit.jpg">
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Interior_of_Fort_McKee.%2C_06-1871_-_NARA_-_559259.tif/lossy-page1-2560px-Interior_of_Fort_McKee.%2C_06-1871_-_NARA_-_559259.tif.jpg">
(text-style:"subscript")[US council of war preparing the attack on kanghwa.
US Soldiers after capturing the Fort on Kanghwa.
The Korean battleflag captured by the US soldiers. The flag is still officially in the possession of the US.
Casualties of the US assault.]
[[Continue->Defeat at Kanghwa]] <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Korea-Portrait_of_Emperor_Gojong-01.jpg/1280px-Korea-Portrait_of_Emperor_Gojong-01.jpg">
#Gojong rises to the throne. - 1873
You will continue to play as King Gojong, your father the Daewongun has stopped acting as your regent.
[[Continue your path as ruler in these troublesome times.->Another Kanghwa.]]<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Soldiers_from_the_Un%27y%C5%8D_attacking_the_Yeongjong_castle_on_a_Korean_island_%28woodblock_print%2C_1876%29.jpg">
#Another Kanghwa. - 1875
A messenger rushes into the court.
(align:"==>")+(box:"X=")['A Japanese ship, Un'yo, has attacked our fortress on Kanghwa island. The Un'yo's superior firepower again, like previous battles overwhelmed our defenders.]
[[We must negotiate to stop the attacks->The threaty of Kanghwa]]<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/GanghwaTreaty.jpg">
#The treaty of Kanghwa. - 1876
We have signed the threaty of Kanghwa officially opening up our country to trade with other nations.
[[We should use this opportunity to further reform Choson.->First in series of reforms]]
[[Whilst we have opened our country, we shall keep a isolationist policy->Demands for reform]]#Reforms of 1882
You have started various reforms in the central government aimed at modernising the Choson state.
The Japanese suggest we should hire a military advisor to also modernise our defense forces.
[[We shall hire him and reform the army/navy->Hire the Japanese advisor]]
[[We shall reform our army/navy ourselves.-> Army reforms]]The Japanese praise your intellgence. A advisor shall help reform the army.
[[There has been talk of disagreement amongst soldiers->Soldier uprising]]Your ministers have sought a man capable of leading reforms but none were found by them. The Japanese further pressure you accept their military advisor.
[[We need to prevent another attack->Hire the Japanese advisor]] Your court demands reforms, after the numerous defeats at Kangwha, we cannot remain isolationist.
[[Reform against your will->First in series of reforms]] <img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCxoRUB5zCfxIdLs4CjM_oaJw9l2hzzTSq9Q&usqp=CAU">
#the Imo incident - 1882
Soldiers rise up against your reforms and attack government officials, the japanese legation, and even your palace! Your Queen narrowly escaped death at the hands of the rioters.
The Japanese have sent ships with soldiers and so did the Chinese.
[[We have no choice but wait.->Defeat of Imo]]#Defeat of the Imo rebels.
With the Japanese forces defeating the rebels, you are safely back in the palace.
[[You have no choice but to continue attempting reforms, finding a path between groups who supporting or oppose reforms.->Kapsin Coup.]]<img src="https://mblogthumb-phinf.pstatic.net/MjAxODAyMjhfMjE1/MDAxNTE5Nzk5MzExNDM3.kv7ugzDKTWbbdvcJ5qOC38QdI8gxrYiOSyGP01RgGKUg.kIIDMLvLCn8_q8_qMNRjF3tMsj35ESQGf7fbCipaInwg.JPEG.kdan91/26075_51295_4832.jpg?type=w800">
#The Kapsin Coup - 1884
A group of Korean reformers supported by the Japanese government and troops take you hostage. You see several government officials getting shot.
(link: "Resist.")[\
(set: $resist to 'yes')\
(go-to: "Arrival at Gyoengu")\
]
(link: "You cooperate")[\
(set: $resist to 'no')\
(go-to: "Arrival at Gyoengu")\
]<img src="https://t1.daumcdn.net/cfile/blog/2116BF485447F11A10">
(if: $resist is "yes")[You wake up at Gyoengu palace in a room alone. Your head hurts, they probably knocked you out. You see guards and by the sillouette of the clothing you make out they are not Koreans. You also hear them speak Japanese. Later you are being told that a coup has taken place.]
(if: $resist is "no")[You are brought into a room and notice after having the bag over your face removed, you are in Gyoengu palace. The man tells you a coup is taking place and they are keeping you there. He is a Korean, you can tell by his speech but he is wearing a western suit. You see guards and by the sillouette of the clothing you make out they are not Koreans. You also hear them speak Japanese.]
(set: $escape to "default")
[[Try to escape-> Failed attempt]]
[[Remain in the room and await your fate.->Kapsin Coup failed]]You were caught during your escape.
(if: $escape is "tried")[The guard annoyed by your continues attempts of escape sounds angry..]
[[A guard places you back inside your room and doubles security.->Escape]]Will you..
(set: $escape to "tried")
[[Try another escape.-> Failed attempt]]
or
[[Wait->Kapsin Coup failed]] 3 days later, you wake up in the morning, only to find the guards gone. You walk out and are greeted by a soldier who appears to be Chinese. He hands you a scroll:
"King Gojong, please make your way back to the royal palace. Queen min secretely asked us to intervene. Chinese troops have driven away the anti-government forces and placed you back on your throne. Leader of the Chinese legation in Seoul" -Yuan Shikai.
[[You make your way back to the palace and restore your government->continued reforms]]With the Kapsin Coup behind you, you feel reaffirmed in pushing through reforms.
[[Continue the reforms->A new uprising]]One of your ministers brings new, in the South a new uprising has started.
[[A new uprising?->Donghak Rebellion]]<img src="https://alchetron.com/cdn/donghak-peasant-revolution-7f3ff4c5-6aad-453c-9a06-afceacbad1b-resize-750.jpeg">
#The Donghak peasant rebellion - 1894
(if: $choe is "death")[The uprising in the South began due to rampant local corruption. Yet the leader of the rebellion, Jŏn Bong-jun and his Donghak rebels have an ideology of beginning a more egalitarian society. Your father, the Daewongun ordered the execution of their original Donghak philosopher, Ch'oe Cheu.]
(if: $choe is "live")[The uprising in the South began due to rampant local corruption. Yet the leader of the rebellion, Jŏn Bong-jun and his Donghak rebels have an ideology of beginning a more egalitarian society. Your father, the Daewongun allowed Ch'oe Cheu, the starter of this philosophy to live. He has since passed away but his legacy remains in the form of this rebellion.]
[[Crush the rebellion by force->Defeat CG forces]]
[[Engage in talks with the rebellion->talks with donghak]]Forces of the central government were beaten by the rebels. They have now retreated into the walled city of Jŏnju.
[[Sent another emmissary with bribes.->messenger killed]]
[[Resolve by force->New CG forces]]
You sent an emmissary to the rebels but they demand harsh reforms. "We cannot give them this." says one of your ministers, and most of your court agrees.
[[Again you are left without a choice, crush the rebels->Defeat CG forces]] The messenger you sent was killed. There will be no peacefull ending it seems.
[[Sent more armed forces->New CG forces]] You sent new government forces with heavier weaponery whilst also requesting aid from both China and Japan.
[[The rebels agree to a truce -> truce of Jŏngju]]#Truce of Jŏngju
Kim Hak-jin, the new governor of Jeolla province came to a truce with the rebels.
The truce you accepted introduced significant changes. Such as the construction of //Jibgangso//'s - overseers whom were to be an extra control ran by donghak forces. Landowners and the gentry class give stiff resistance and it doesn't look like this peace will last.
However war broke out between the Chinese and Japanese.
[[A war?->The Sino-Japanese war]]<img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/197276-050-748E122F/Stands-No-Enemy-Where-We-Go-Surrender-1894.jpg">
#The Sino-Japanese War - 1894-1895
The Donghak rebellion directly led to the Sino-Japanese war. A treaty between Qing China and Japan said that if troops were to enter the Korean peninsula, one should let the other know. When chinese troops came to aid during the Donghak rebellion, Japan used this to start a war.
[[Japanese troops march into the streets->Japanese installed government]]<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Gungukgimucheo_joseokjin.jpg">
#The Kabo Reforms - 1894
Japan forced your government to accept a bill reforming Chosŏn in a similar fashion to Meji restauration.
These reforms further limit your power as king.
[[You try your best to maintain your position?->Death of Queen Min]]<img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/u0So9fZC2swIKtEcXGW2fhLv-c4=/1800x1200/filters:fill(auto,1)/Queen-Min-5c85867d4cedfd000190b1b6.jpg">
#Death of Queen Min - 1895
Your Queen was assassinated by the Japanese. She sided with pro-chinese movements and was a thorn in the side of the Japanese interests in Korea.
[[What if they come for you next?->Escape to the legation]]#Escape to the Russian legation - 1896
The fear of following the same fate as your wife is too much for you. You seek asylum in the Russian legation where the Japanese can't touch you.
[[You will continue your government from inside the legation.->End of Kabo]]#The end of the Kabo reforms - 1896
The assassination of Queen Min sparkled anti Kabo sentiment and erupted into a mob that helped to kill several top officials. This ended the Gabo reforms. You are able to return to your position.
[[It is time for a new age->The Great Korean empire]]<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Portrait_of_Gojong_01.jpg/210px-Portrait_of_Gojong_01.jpg">
#Proclamation of the Great Korean Empire
To equalize your country with China and Japan whom both had empires, you and your cabinet decided to change the Chosŏn monarchy to an imperial state. Whilst Korea had no holdings, this change was more a political one, Emperor Gojong now had the same title as the Emperor of Japan and Emperor of China.
[[All hail emperor Gojong!->The final years]]You might have declared an empire but Japan and Russia both struggle for domination over the Peninsula. You attempted to plot them against each other.
[[Reports of a new war reach your court->Russo-Japanese war]]<img src="https://sites.google.com/site/meijijapangl10/_/rsrc/1580907555768/home/e-japanese-imperialism-russo-japanese-war/In%20a%20Tight%20Place.jpg">
#The Russo-Japanese war - 1905
The Russo-Japanese war became a war which was fought between Japan and Russia and determined who would get Korea under its influence.
[[You are unable to act, Japan marches large amounts of troops throughout the peninsula and you don't have the military might to stop this. Further news of the defeat of the Russian fleet in 1905 reach you. It seems Japan will win..->Japanese influence]][[With your empire now officialy in the influence sphere of Japan, the Japanese force you to sign a treaty. Your country has now become a protectorate.->The Hague peace conference]]<img src="https://cndreams.com/dir_attach/img_news/news_img1_1471285408.jpg">
#The Hague Peace Conference - 1907
Korea has been a protectorate of Japan for 2 years, you send a group of trustworthy Korean secretly to the Hague to plead for Korean independence at the peace conference.
[[Await answer->No one listens]]#Forced Abdication
Your followers arrived at the conference but were ignored for the most part. The Japanese displeased with your acting, force you to abdicate.
[[Abdicate->The army disbanded]]<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Company_of_Korean_rebels_1907_by_F.A._McKenzie_from_Tragedy_of_Korea_losslessrotate0_35cropped.png">
#Disbandment of Korean Army
Japan disbanded the Korean army, swelling the ranks of resistant groups
[[You watch as your country slowly loses sovereignty.->Ito assassinated]]<img src="http://res.heraldm.com/content/image/2014/03/26/20140326001395_0.jpg">
#Ito Hirobumi assassinated.
A Korean independence fighter, An Jung-geun assassinates the Resident-general of Japan.
[[He shall be remembered->Japan and Korea made one]]<img src="https://cdn-japantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/fl20100822x1a.jpg">
#Japan and Korea made one - 1910
Korea is official annexed by the empire of Japan, marking the start of 35 years of colonisation.
You are kept alive by the Japanese, but have no further influence. Your death in 1919 will begin the last large uprising against Japanese rule over the peninsula.
[[Credits]]#Credits
Thank you for playing this Twine game. The game was meant to give a taste of how difficult situations might have been for the former kings of Korea during the 19th century. I purposefully limited choices the later you go in the game. Eventually, there was no choice anymore, you can only react to the situation happening, no longer influence them. It is hard to potray in further detail the choices Gojong made in the ending but this game serves to show his position was unamenable.
I also had to leave out large gaps of details. Some of these can be found in the timeline that supported this project.
<a href="https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/timeline3/latest/embed/index.html?source=1_uUQU6G-5R-Hvw2MOLkq3t8g_153bqYezDiN7wfCo6I&font=Default&lang=en&initial_zoom=2&height=650">Timeline</a>
For questions surrounding this project, or critism on how things are potrayed please contact: vndepol@gmail.com#Disclaimer
This story is made with information gathered from the following books:
''Hwang, A history of Korea. (2010)
Buzo, Making of Modern Korea. (2017)
김기란, 극장국가 대한제국 (2020)
''
Some of the possible choices are fictional, I tried to stick as close to reality as possible. I do not claim that this game is without flaws; if you disagree with points/paths I made; please do not hesitate to contact me.
The game is made to portray the hard choices the Korean monarch faced during the 19th century which was filled with unrest.
I want to end this disclaimer by saying that I made this game with the fullest respect to Korea, Koreans and their culture/history. Coming from a Western European background, I must acknowledge the fact that this game is an interpretation of what I have read/learned by me and thus might contain biases that I am unaware of. I tried to maintain a non-orientalist approach to this history but none are without fault. If you notice anything that might be considered offensive, I want to apologize for this and would like to get it resolved as soon as possible.
I hope you learn something from the twine game and enjoy playing it.
Contact:
email: vndepol@gmail.com
twitter: @aronvandepol
[[Start the story-> start]] <img src="https://img1.daumcdn.net/thumb/R720x0.q80/?scode=mtistory2&fname=http%3A%2F%2Fcfile8.uf.tistory.com%2Fimage%2F2366CE4357EAC1901CD8A3" width="50">
#A rude awakening
The kingdom of Chŏson enters the 1800s with the death of King Jŏngo. Jŏngo was the embodiment of the fruitful period of Late Chosŏn. His sudden death in 1800 brought an end to comprehensive reforms. He was followed on the throne by a succession of four kings too young to exercise their own authority. This, consequently ushered in a century of unrest.
[[A new son of Heaven]]