“Sunjong’s Coronation by Proxy” Pictured in 1907 Issue of Italian Magazine

A picture vividly depicting the coronation of Emperor Sunjong at the time of the Korean Empire, for which the Japanese had used a proxy to be crowned in Sunjong’s place, was revealed on August 11. The picture, showing the scene of the coronation ceremony that took place on July 20, 1907 in what is now the Deoksu Palace in Seoul, was published on the cover of the August 4, 1907 issue of Italy’s “La Tribuna Illustrata.” When Sunjong refused to attend the coronation in protest of Japan’s hand in forcing the abdication of his father, King Gojong, the Japanese used a stand-in to be crowned in his place. This can be confirmed by the picture, which shows a court eunuch dressed in green sitting on the royal throne that should be occupied by Sunjong. The picture was provided by Professor Lee Tae-jin.