| Euimin Restoration | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Restored Korean Imperial Government
|
 Korea under Japanese rule
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Cho Man-sik Yi Un
|
Akihito
| ||||||
The Euimin Restoration was attempt to restore the Empire of Korea by Korean nationalists, who seized the city of Seoul and reinstated Yi Un, the son of the last Korean Emperor, to the throne. The restoration lasted for only 13 days, and was quickly reversed by Japanese forces.
History
Background
Following the Japanese Civil War and exile of the Japanese Imperial Government to Korea, a rise in Korean nationalism surged though Japanese-controlled Korea. Koreans had grown increasingly discontent with the Japanese regime, and wanted to replace it with their own government. Without reinforcements, the Japanese Imperial Army grew weaker, allowing the Japanese monarch to be overthrown.
Failed restoration
Rebellions against the Japanese Royal Family began as early as November 11 of 1953. Public demonstrations, increased popularity of nationalists such as Cho Man-sik, and the organization of the Imperial Restoration Militia in Seoul all weakened the Japanese grip on Korea. On November 15 a violent nationalist uprising forced the Japanese Royal Family to flee Seoul. Cho Man-sik immediately took control of the city, declaring a restoration of Yi Un as the Korean monarch the following day. The original government of the Empire of Korea was recreated and took control of the city of Seoul. The Japanese Army reorganized and began a siege of the city on November 19. The Korean Army defended the city against the Japanese for 10 days, until it was overwhelmed. Yi Un was forced to abdicate and renounce all ties to the Korean throne. Control of Seoul was given to Akihito, who dissolved the Imperial Government and recreated his original government. Cho Man-sik was put in prison for the following 7 years.
Aftermath
The restoration, while unsuccessful, significantly weakened the Japanese control over Korea. To stabilize the country, Akihito signed a constitution that revoked all of his rights to govern and guaranteed the Korean people the right to govern themselves by creating a democratically-elected parliament, preventing further destabilization.