Japanese occupation of Gyeongbokgung

Japanese occupation of Gyeongbokgung Palace
Part of Donghak Peasant Revolution and the First Sino-Japanese War
Ōtori Keisuke escorts Daewongun to the royal palace as Ōshima Yoshimasa engages the palace garrisons
Date 23 July 1894 Location Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, Korea Result Japanese victory Restoration of Heungseon Daewongun Establishment of a pro-Japanese government under Kim Hong-jip and the Enlightenment Party's administration Beginning of the Gabo Reform Beginning of the Battle of Seonghwan
Belligerents
Japan Japanese Army Enlightenment Party	Korea Joseon Army
Commanders and leaders
Ōtori Keisuke Ōshima Yoshimasa Heungseon Daewongun Kim Hong-jip	Gojong Myeongseong Hong Gye-hun
Strength
IJA 9th Infantry Brigade (Oshima Composite Brigade): 8,000	Chingunyeong (Capital Guards Command): 5,000
Casualties and losses
~100-200 casualties	~400-1,500 casualties

The Japanese occupation of Gyeongbokgung Palace (Korean: 일본군의 경복궁 점령) or the Gabo Incident occurred on 23 July 1894, during the ceasefire of the Donghak Peasant Revolution and the beginning of the Sino-Japanese War. Imperial Japanese forces led by Japanese Minister Plenipotentiary to Korea Ōtori Keisuke and Ōshima Yoshimasa occupied Gyeongbokgung palace to restore King Gojong's father Heungseon Daewongun and establish a pro-Japanese government under Kim Hong-jip and the Enlightenment Party's administration.