Answering the call of Heaven

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Tue, October 3, 2023 | 15:24

Answering the call of Heaven

Posted : 2021-05-02 09:13

Updated : 2021-05-02 15:12

The streets of Seoul from the East Gate, circa 1900. Robert Neff Collection

By Robert Neff

In the spring of 1899, the Korean population was growing increasingly restless. Rain had not fallen for some time and the potential for a devastating drought followed by a famine was on everyone's mind.

Many people were frightened by the superstitious rumors that circulated in the streets concerning the introduction of the streetcars which were due to begin operation in May. Some people blamed the streetcars themselves for sucking away all the clouds and depriving the land of the much-needed rain, but many of the superstitious believed the gods had been angered and were punishing the population.

The streetcar company's power plant was allegedly built on hallowed ground and, as Constance J. D. Coulsin claimed, the city's guardian dragon had been angered by the audacity of the Westerners and their technology.

"The people of Seoul believe that underneath the city sleeps a great dragon, its patron and guardian [… and that the Korean …] people decided among themselves that the dragon was annoyed because the tram-lines recently laid down were pressing upon his tail, and so disturbing his sleep."

At least one man claimed to have spoken with the gods who commanded him to seize the throne as the true and rightful heir to the monarchy.

Deoksu Palace, circa 1904. Robert Neff Collection

On May 2, a man from Jemulpo (modern Incheon) and identified as Wang Eui-soo, arrived at Deoksu Palace and somehow managed to gain access to the imperial court. He at once proclaimed himself to be the "rightful heir to the throne of Korea, volunteering to produce indisputable proofs of his direct descent from the ancient monarchy." The man was promptly arrested and examined by the Commissioner of Police who, after hearing Wang's explanation that he was only following the instructions of the voice he heard from the heavens, declared him to be mentally unbalanced and released.

His release, however, was not greeted with approval in the imperial court. According to one account, Lady Om (Eom Seon-yeong ― the emperor's 45-year-old consort) heard of his release and ordered that he be re-arrested and placed on trial. He was, unsurprisingly, found guilty "and despite the national superstitious respect for the feeble-minded and the fact that the court physicians adjudged the claimant of the crown demented, she ordered his arrest and immediate execution by hanging."

Wang immediately began to protest; not against his sentence of death but rather how it was to be carried out. He claimed to be the son of a military family and demanded to be given a soldier's execution ― to be decapitated with a soldier's blade. The court ― bowing to the general consensus of the onlookers ― agreed. Still protesting the legitimacy of his claim and foretelling the impending doom of the dynasty, Wang's life ended when his head was severed from his body by the executioner's blade.

Just over a decade later, Korea ceased to be an independent country when Japan annexed the peninsula on August 29, 1910.

Deoksu Palace in the early twentieth century. Robert Neff Collection

Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books including, Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.

robertneff103@gmail.com