Empress Myeongseong, also known as Queen Min, was a pivotal figure in Korea’s efforts to modernize and maintain sovereignty amid rising Japanese influence. Born in 1851, she married King Gojong and became an influential adviser in court politics, championing reforms that aimed to strengthen Korea against foreign encroachment. By the late 19th century, Japan was increasingly assertive in the region following victories in conflicts such as the First Sino-Japanese War, and they sought to eliminate opposition from Korean officials who opposed their hegemony.

On the morning of October 8, 1895, Japanese assassins, part of a covert operation authorized by Japanese officials, infiltrated the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Empress Myeongseong was brutally murdered, her assassination carrying out their agenda of political control and dominance. This act not only eliminated a staunch adversary to Japanese rule in Korea but also sent a clear message to those who might defy their ambitions. After the assassination, Japan intensified its military presence and dismantled the political structure that had been supportive of Myeongseong’s vision for a sovereign Korea.

Myeongseong's assassination was an event that marked a crucial turning point in not just Korean history, but also in Sino-Japanese relations, which were deteriorating rapidly. Following her death, the Japanese escalated their control over Korean affairs, culminating in the formal annexation of Korea in 1910, effectively ending centuries of Korean sovereignty. This brutal event has been etched in history as a symbol of Japan's imperial ambitions and the tragic fate of Korea's struggle for independence.