Yi Hae-won


Yi Hae-won was a Korean princess and descendant of the Joseon dynasty. She was the second daughter of Prince Imperial Ui of Korea, the fifth son of Emperor Gojong of Korea and his concubine, Lady Sudeokdang. Yi was one of the pretenders, as well as her nephew, Yi Won, who claimed to be the legitimate heir to the throne of the Korean Imperial Household. Yi died in February 2020 at the age of 100.

Birth and marriage

Yi was born in Sadong Palace, which was an official residence of her family in Seoul and raised in Unhyeon Palace. She graduated from Kyunggi High School in 1936 and then married Lee Seunggyu, who was kidnapped and compulsorily taken to North Korea during the Korean War. They had three sons and one daughter.

Coronation

Following the death of her cousin Yi Ku on 16 July 2005, members of the imperial family chose his adopted son, Yi Won, as the next Head of the Korean Imperial Household, bestowing on him the title, the Hereditary Prince Imperial of Korea, representative of an inherited title from Yi Ku. Contesting her nephew's claim and appointment to the throne, Yi Haewŏn announced the restoration of the Korean Imperial Household. A private coronation ceremony was held on 29 September 2006, during which Yi Haewŏn was bestowed the title, the "Empress of Korea". According to one of her half-brothers, Yi Seok, who was another pretender, other close royal member didn't approve such a ceremony; Yi Seok himself was also invited, but he didn't attend the ceremony, for he didn't know who the members of the "Imperial Family Association of Daehanjeguk" are.

Family

Yi Hae-won's husband, Yi Seung-gyu, descended from the Yi Clan of Yongin, according to the Genealogy book of the clan published in 1983.