| Yi Jae-myeon 이재면 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prince Imperial Heung 흥친왕 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succession: | Prince Wanheung of Korea | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reign: | 1900–1910 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor: | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor: | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse: | Lady Hong of Pungsan Hong clan Lady Lee of the Yeoju Lee clan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issue: | Prince Yeongseon | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royal House: | House of Yi | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Father: | Grand Internal Prince Heungseon | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succession1: | Prince Imperial Heung of Korea | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reign1: | 15 October 1910 – 29 August 1910 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor1: | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor1: | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succession2: | Duke Yi of Korea 1st generation of Yi Hui line | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reign2: | 29 August 1910 – 1912 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor2: | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor2: | Yi Jun | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth Date: | 22 August 1845 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth Place: | Unhyeon Palace, Joseon | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Death Place: | Unhyeon Palace, Korea, Empire of Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place Of Burial: | Heungwon | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.[1] 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.[2]
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.[3] After his younger brother got the power, and Kim Hong-jip was appointed as the chancellor, Yi was appointed as Minister of Gungnaebu.[4]
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.