In 1895, Joseon's Queen Min was killed by assassins affiliated with the Japanese, who wanted to eliminate her to prevent Joseon from forging closer ties with the Russian Empire. Needless to say, following her death there was widespread outrage against Japan, and her husband, King Gojong, declared the Korean Empire to make the country independent of China's tributary system and reform it. It only lasted for 13 years before Japan fully annexed Korea.
What if Queen Min, or Empress Myeongseong, as she was better known following 1897, was not killed? The assassins' goals were to prevent Joseon from becoming closer to Russia, since Japan had its own goal set out for the region. Her death was one of the factors that eventually prompted Gojong to declare an Empire, so without it, would it be likely that the Joseon Kingdom would continue to exist? Heck, would Japan get Korea at all?
For the record, let's just suppose that an attempt is planned but never goes through.
What if Queen Min, or Empress Myeongseong, as she was better known following 1897, was not killed? The assassins' goals were to prevent Joseon from becoming closer to Russia, since Japan had its own goal set out for the region. Her death was one of the factors that eventually prompted Gojong to declare an Empire, so without it, would it be likely that the Joseon Kingdom would continue to exist? Heck, would Japan get Korea at all?
For the record, let's just suppose that an attempt is planned but never goes through.