Prince Imperial Heung

Prince Imperial Heung (, 22 August 1845 – 9 September 1912) was a prince of the Joseon dynasty and of the Korean Empire. He was the son of Heungseon Daewongun and the elder brother of Emperor Gojong of Korea. By birth, his original name was Yi Jae-myeon and the art name was U-seok ; after he acquired the "Prince Imperial" title, his name was changed to Yi Hui  on 25 August 1910. Five days later, the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910 became effective, Yi Hui lost the imperial title and received a title "Duke Yi Hui" instead.

Biography
Prince Imperial Heung was born in 1845, as the son of Prince Heungseon, who was a member of the ruling family but had no authority.

In 1864, he passed the literary examination of the Gwageo. He was an official under his father's regency. He visited his father when he was locked in China. After his younger brother got the power, and Kim Hong-jip was appointed as the chancellor, Yi was appointed as Minister of Gungnaebu.

In May 1900, Yi became Prince Wanhung. He got Order of the Plum Blossom and Order of the Auspicious Stars in 1907, after the abdication of Gojong and coronation of Sunjong of Korea. In November 1907, Yi was appointed as Lieutenant General. He was later sent to Japan as a diplomat and got 1st class of Order of the Paulownia Flowers. In 1909, Yi got Order of the Golden Ruler. He helped the annexation of Korea from June 1910. On 15 August 1910, Yi became Prince Imperial Heung. He signed the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910, which annexed Korea. He was ennobled as Duke Yi Hui after the annexation. He got 830,000 Won for the annexation of Korea and decoration for the annexation of Korea. His title was inherited to Yi Jun-yong.

Family

 * Father: Yi Ha-Eung, Grand Internal Prince Heungseon (21 December 1820 – 22 February 1898)
 * Grandfather: Yi Gu, Prince Namyeon (22 August 1788 – 19 March 1836)
 * Grandmother: Princess Consort Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (26 June 1788 – 1831)
 * Mother: Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok of the Yeoheung Min clan (3 February 1818 – 8 January 1898)
 * Grandfather: Min Chi-Gu (1795 – 14 December 1874)
 * Grandmother: Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (1797 – 17 November 1873)
 * Sibling(s)
 * Younger sister: Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (1848–1869)
 * Brother-in-law: Jo Gyeong-ho of the Imcheon Jo clan (1839–1914)
 * Younger brother: King Gojong (8 September 1852 – 21 January 1919)
 * Sister-in-law: Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min clan (17 November 1851 – 8 October 1895)
 * Nephew: Emperor Sunjong (25 March 1874 – 25 April 1926)
 * Younger sister: Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (1854–?)
 * Brother-in-law: Yi Yun-yong (이윤용; 李允用) of the Ubong Yi clan (1855 – 8 September 1939)
 * Younger sister: Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (1863–1899)
 * Brother-in-law: Jo Jeong-gu of the Pungyang Jo clan (1862–1926)
 * Consorts and their Respective Issue(s):
 * 1) Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (8 April 1844 – 19 December 1887)
 * 2) Yi Jun-Yong, Prince Yeongseon (23 July 1870 – 22 March 1917)
 * 3) Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (1874–?)
 * 4) Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (1875 – 21 August 1924)
 * 5) Yi Mun-Yong (4 September 1882 – 8 October 1901)
 * 6) Princess Imperial Heung of the Yeoju Lee clan (7 June 1883 – 8 January 1978)
 * 7) Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (1900–?)
 * 8) Lady Joo of the Sinan Joo clan

Popular culture

 * Portrayed by Han Beom-hee in the 2001–2002 KBS2 TV series Empress Myeongseong.