Korea's Last Royal Funeral
Biweon, Seoul - July 24, 2005
- Photographs by Tom Coyner © 2005
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Son of Joseon's last crown prince is laid to rest
by Chun Su-jin
JoongAng Daily
July 25, 2005Thousands of mourners gathered in sultry heat at Changdeok Palace yesterday to see what may be the last royal funeral ever conducted there, as Korea said goodbye to Lee Gu, son of the Joseon Dynasty's last crown prince.
Family members, dignitaries and members of the public crowded the palace in central Seoul for the funeral for Mr. Lee, who was found dead of heart failure at the age of 74 in a Tokyo hotel room on July 16.
The ceremony started at 10 a.m. inside the palace, where a portrait of Mr. Lee stood among white chrysanthemums and burning incense. Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan gave a memorial address, saying, "I express my sincere condolences for the demise of His Highness."
Most of those attending the funeral appeared to be senior citizens and families, as well as some foreigners. Lee Jeong-sun, 80, who traveled from Gangwon province to attend, said, "It is too sad to see the funeral of a person like Lee Gu, who has suffered so much as the descendant of the ruined dynasty."
Mr. Lee was the son of Korean crown prince Lee Eun and Masako Nashimotomiya, a Japanese noblewoman. Their marriage was arranged by the Japanese colonial government in order to end Korea's royal line. Lee Eun was the son of King Gojong and the brother of King Sunjong, the last two kings of the Joseon Dynasty, which had endured for more than 500 years.
Anthony Caropino, an American expatriate at the ceremony, said, "This is a big event indeed. I heard that it's especially important for Koreans, for it's the end of the dynasty."
After the ceremony, 10 military escorts carried Mr. Lee's casket, which was wrapped in the Korean flag. Family members in traditional funeral garb followed the casket, headed by Lee Won. Mr. Lee, 42, a great-grandson of King Gojong, was chosen by the Lee Royal Family Organization last week as the adopted successor to the royal line. Lee Gu had no children of his own.
Outside the palace, the ceremony continued, following royal protocol. The procession left by the palace's front gate, led by a black Cadillac bearing the casket on a splendidly decked out bier, as well as Mr. Lee's portrait. Bystanders along the way took pictures with digital cameras and cell phones.
The procession passed through the streets of Jongno, arriving around noon at Jongmyo, the royal shrine. There, following royal custom, another service was held, by which the dead are said to greet their ancestors' spirits.
Then the casket was brought to Namyangju, Gyeonggi province, where Mr. Lee was buried at 2 p.m., alongside his parents.To see other photos such as the immediate above, please visit the below hot links:
Samcheon-sa - A photo shoot at a temple just north of Seoul
Chollanam-do Temples and Traditional Village, May 26~28, 2005
Tahitian Wedding and Sights - Moorena, New Year's 2005: 48 photos by Tom Coyner
Autumn in Tokyo - A photo essay by Tom Coyner, November 2004
Autumn Sunday Leaves - Perfect weather, autumn leaves at their height, golden afternoon light with Confucian walls and buildings made for three hours of delightful photography, Jongro, Seoul: Nov. 7, 2004 - by Tom Coyner
Ireland - July 2004 - Kilkenny and environs, Greater Dublin, and Belfast photos by Tom Coyner
- Click on the left for a tourist's romp through Japan in Fred D. Coyner Discovers Japan - photos by brother Tom
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