List of emperors of Korea (Differently)

Monarchy of Korea
	Imperial
	; Imperial Seal
Details
First monarch	Gojong
Formation	13 October 1897
Residence	Deoksugung, Changdeokgung

Emperor of Korea (大（대韩（한의皇（황帝（제, Daehan ui Hwanje) is the title of head of state of the Great Korean Empire. It was established with the inauguration of Gojong in November 1897.

Before 1897, Korea was ruled by the the Joseon dynasty, a kingdom dating from the 14th century. Towards the end of the 19th century, influence over Korea was increasingly an area of conflict between the Qing and Japan. The Sino-Japanese War marked the rapid decline of any power the Joseon state had managed to hold against foreign interference, as the battles of the conflict were fought in Korea and surrounding waters.

In 1897, King Gojong, yielding to rising pressure from both overseas and the demands of the Independence Association-led public opinion, returned to Gyŏngungung (modern-day Deoksugung). There, he proclaimed the founding of the "Great Korean Empire", officially re-designated the national title as such, and declared the new era name Gwangmu (光（광武（무) (meaning warrior of light), effectively severing Korea's superficial historic ties as a tributary of Qing China, which Korea had adhered to since the prior Manchurian invasion in 1636.

Korean Empire (1897–present)[]

Name	Reign		Length
Gojong (1852–1919)	13 October 1897	21 January 1919	21 years, 3 months, 8 days
Sunjong (1874–1926)	21 January 1919	24 April 1926	5 years, 3 months, 3 days
Yeong (1897–2003)	24 April 1926	1 May 1970	44 years, 6 days
Heong (1931–2005)	1 May 1970	16 July 2005	35 years, 2 months, 15 days
Won (1962–)	16 July 2005	Incumbent	19 years, 6 months and 5 days