KOREAN ROYAL FAMILY

Shannon News, 8 June 1926, Page 4

KOREAN ROYAL FAMILY

A STORY OF TRAGEDY.

DEATH OF LAST EMPEROR. The health of Prince Yichok—whom the Japanese style the last emperor of Korea, although his reign is not recognised by the Koreans themselves—is reported by the Japanese authorities to be "hopeless," which may be

interpreted as meaning he is dead. His adopted son and heir, Prince Ti, junior, with his Japanese wife, Princess Masaoka, who were in Seoul, had indefinitely postponed their trip to Europe and America. The death of the father of Prince Yi in 1919 precipitated a nation-wide uprising in Korea, and the authorities are nervous lest there should be a repetition of this now.

The life of Prince Yi, junior, had been marked by tragedy, death intervening at every important event. He was born a few months after the Korean queen, his father's' consort, had been dragged from bed and murdered

by Japanese and Korean assassins. He was brought in boyhood to Japan, virtually a hostage, after his father's forcible deposition by the Japanese. His father died on the eve of the day tii't for his marriage with the Japanese imperial princess, which the Kortans bitterly opposed. His first and only child, taken to Korea for formal recognition as Korean heir, died suddenly and mysteriously in Seou\ palace. Rumours said ihat Korean patriots had poisoned the baby because in his veins were mingled royal Korean and Imperial Japanese blood.

His European and American tour had been arranged to show the world the happy union of th e Korean and Japanese ruling houses. The couple were ready to sail last month, when the death of Prince Yi intervened. It is reported that extraordinary precautions have been taken to guard Princess Masaoka while she is In Korea.