Empress Sunjeong of Korea
The Empress Sunjeong was the daughter of Marquis Yun Taek-yeong of Haepung. She became the second wife of Crown Prince Yi Cheok in 1904, after his first wife died. In 1907, the crown prince became Emperor Sunjeong when the Japanese forced his father to abdicate.
The empress, who was known as "Lady Yun" before her marriage and elevation, was born in 1894, so she was only about 10 years old when she married the crown prince.
He died in 1926 (possibly a victim of poisoning), but the empress lived on for four more decades. She lived to the ripe old age of 71, dying in 1966.
After the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910, when Sunjong and Sunjeong were deposed, they lived as virtual prisoners in Changdeok Palace, Seoul. After Korea was freed from Japanese control in the aftermath of World War II, President Syngman Rhee barred Sunjeong from Changdeok Palace, confining her to a tiny cottage instead. She returned to the palace five years before her death.
The empress, who was known as "Lady Yun" before her marriage and elevation, was born in 1894, so she was only about 10 years old when she married the crown prince.
He died in 1926 (possibly a victim of poisoning), but the empress lived on for four more decades. She lived to the ripe old age of 71, dying in 1966.
After the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910, when Sunjong and Sunjeong were deposed, they lived as virtual prisoners in Changdeok Palace, Seoul. After Korea was freed from Japanese control in the aftermath of World War II, President Syngman Rhee barred Sunjeong from Changdeok Palace, confining her to a tiny cottage instead. She returned to the palace five years before her death.
