Hullyeondae

The Hullyeondae (literally "Military Training Division"^[1]) was a Korean Army Regiment established under Japanese direction as a part of the second Gabo Reform in 1895, the 32nd year of King Gojong's reign. On January 17 in the same year, Japanese legation minister, Kaoru Inoue suggested to the king to found a new Regiment of the Royal Guards. The elite regiment, trained and equipped by the Japanese, were officered by members of the old Korean Army. The Regiment was composed of three battalions, and a headquarters company, totaling about 1000 Soldiers. The first battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Woo Beomseon. The second battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Yi Doohwang, and the third battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Yi Jinho. All of these commanders had participated successfully during operations against the Donghak peasant rebels and the Chinese Army in 1894-1895. The regiment was composed of the most progressive element of the Korean Army. Convinced that Empress Min was conspiring with the Russians to bring their troops in country, the Regiment attacked the Imperial Palace on October 8, 1895, allowing the Japanese Ronin assassins to kill Empress Myeongseong^[2][3][4]

See also

• Empress Myeongseong
• Korea under Japanese rule
• Imo Incident

References