Military Academy of the Korean Empire was a military academy of the

Korean Empire The Korean Empire () was a Korean monarchical state proclaimed in October 1897 by Emperor Gojong of the Joseon dynasty. The empire stood until Japan's annexation of Korea in August 1910. During the Korean Empire, Emperor Gojong oversaw the Gwa ...

established in 1896. However, as a result of shrink in military force of Imperial Korea by Japanese influence, the academy was disbanded in 1909.

Establishment

After the establishment of Hunryeondae as part of the Gabo Reform, Hunryeondae Military Academy was established to educate officers. However, after the assassination of Queen Min, Hunryeondae and the military academy was dissolved too in September 1895. The need for a military academy led to the establishment of Military Academy of Korean Empire. On 11 January 1896, Gojong established the academy with his imperial decree.

Korean Empire

However, after the Gojong's exile to the Russian legation, the military academy was not able to operate properly as an academy. After Gojong's return to the palace, Minister of Military

Yi Jong-geon Yi Jong-geon (Hangul: 이종건, Hanja: 李鍾健 1843–1930) was a lieutenant-general of the Imperial Korean Army. He was ennobled as Baron of Japan during the Korea under Japanese rule. After March 1st Movement, Yi tried to return his title b ...

asked for the establishment of the military academy in March 1898. By the imperial decree, old academy, that was established in 1896 was disbanded in May 1898. On 1 July 1898, the Military Academy was properly established and was subordinated to the Ministry of Military. 200 cadets were selected, and education of cadets started. On 22 June 1899, the academy became subordinated to the Board of Marshals as an effort of Gojong solidifying the military of Korea. In January 1900, first exam for graduation. First 128 graduates were commissioned as Second lieutenant after the exam. However, as the Japanese influence increased in Korea following the

Japan–Korea Treaty of 1904 The Japan–Korea Treaty of 1904 was made between representatives of the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire in 1904. Negotiations were concluded on February 23, 1904.Korean Mission to the Conference on the Limitation of Armament, Washington ...

, the Board of Marshals was dissolved and the academy became an affiliated organization of Education section of the Ministry of Military. From 1904, cadets were limited to the graduates of Yuneon Military Academy, and the academy included a 3-year curriculum. Following the dissolution of the Imperial Korean Army in August 1907, the Military Academy was minimized in size that number of new cadets became 15. The academy was finally disbanded in September 1909. Remaining cadets were sent to Imperial Japanese Army Academy.

Organization and graduates

The staff of the academy consisted of 1 major as the principal, 1 adjutant, 1 surgeon, 1 head instructor, 3 instructors, and 8 assistants. Mostly, principal was selected from military officers, who were educated abroad. Cadets were healthy and wise 20–30 years old, who got a recommendation from an officer. 495 cadets were commissioned as officer after their graduation. 291 out of 495 commissioned cadets were deployed in

Jinwidae Jinwidae (Hangul: 진위대, Hanja: 鎭衛隊) was an organization of the Imperial Korean Army established in September 1895 by Gojong of Korea when he knew that Hullyeondae was part of the assassination of Empress Myeongseong. History Jinwida ...

or Siwidae. Even though the academy was an academy for education of nationalist officers, not all of the graduates were Nationalists. This was because some sons of Yangbans saw entering the academy as a way for an assured career. Despite not every cadet was motivated by their nationalist sentiment, many graduates of the academy joined the Righteous army, and opposed Japanese colonization. Leaders of independence movements such as Yi Dong-hwi,

Park Seung-hwan Park Seung-hwan was a Korean major, war hero and independence activist of the Korean Empire. He was known for organizing the Battle of Namdaemun after his suicide as a response to the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907 and the abdication of Emperor ...

Kim Chwa-chin Kim Chwa-jin or Kim Jwa-jin (December 16, 1889 – January 24, 1930), sometimes called by his pen name Baegya, was a Korean general, independence activist, and anarchist who played an important role in the early attempts at development of anarch ...

Shin Pal-gyun Shin Pal-gyun (, May 19, 1882 – July 2, 1924) or Shin Dong-chun () was an independence activist of Korea. His wife Im Su-myung () was an independence activist also. Biography Shin Pal-gyun was born in Seoul on May 19, 1882. His great-great- ...

, Ryu Dong-ryeol, and

Ji Cheong-cheon Ji Cheong-cheon (25 January 1888 – 15 January 1957), also known as Yi Cheong-cheon, was a Korean independence activist during the period of Japanese rule (1910–1945). He later became a South Korean politician. His name was originally ...

were all graduates of the academy. Some of the graduates became instructors of the Shinhung Military Academy.

Establishment

Korean Empire

Organization and graduates

References

Further reading