The footprints left by a young Sabatin on the buildings of the Joseon dynasty are the ‘witness of Empress Myeongseong’ …

A view of the main building and the main gate of the Russian legation, redesigned and completed by Sabatin. [사진 국립고궁박물관]

“The Joseon royal palace was occupied by the ‘pro-Japanese’ Joseon army (trained by the Japanese). Japanese ancestors murder a concubine and a presumed queen. The king of Joseon was practically imprisoned by the new ‘pro-Japanese’ of the triumphant Joseon ”.

On October 8, 1895, the murder of Empress Myeongseong took place, the so-called ‘Eulmi Incident’, and ten days later, a young Russian named Sabatin recorded the same sightings. On the day of the incident, he was at Gyeongbokgung Palace, witnessing a catastrophe in Kunnyeonghap at Geoncheonggung Palace, and managed to escape the palace to escape the cunning sword of the Japanese forces. After fleeing Chemulpo to Russia, he submitted detailed testimony to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This testimony played a decisive role in Japan, which had denied relevance immediately after the Eulmi Incident, reduced the recognition that it was made by Goro Miura, a local corporation.

The young man’s real name is Apanashii Ivanovic Seredin-Sabatin (1860-1921). In modern and contemporary Korean history, he has been paying attention as a “witness to the Eulmi incident”, but his main work is architecture. In 1883, he entered Korea as an Incheon Maritime Officer and left various marks on the design and construction of modern buildings in Joseon until he completely left in 1904. Notably, the Gwanmungak built at Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1888 and the Building of the Russian Legation revised in 1890 are the representative works whose names are mentioned. According to her testimony, at the time of the Eulmi incident, she was on duty at Gyeongbokgung Palace as a guard. Gojong, feeling threatened by Japan, appointed foreigners as escorts, made them stay in the palace, and entrusted them with guards. It is also a unique relationship that Gojong (reigned 1863-1907), who felt threatened after the Eulmi incident, fled to the Russian legation built by Sabatin in 1896, the following year.

The Cultural Heritage Administration celebrates the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Russia this year, a special exhibition featuring Russian architect Apanashi Ivanovic Seredin Sabatin (1860-1921), who was active in the modern Joseon Dynasty. Coming to Joseon ‘(Subtitle: The space and memories left by Sabatin) will take place from November 19 to 11. Pictured is the portrait of Seredin Sabatin. [사진 문화재청]

Sabatin, a Russian architectural engineer, observed the incident as a party official at Gyeongbokgung Palace during the death of Empress Myeongseong in Japan and recorded it. A map of the location of Empress Myeongseong, drawn by Sabatin (left) and her testimony. [제정러시아 대외정책문서보관소 제공. 사진=문화재청]

In this way, an exhibition will be held to analyze the life and activities of Sabatin, a Russian architectural engineer who was deeply involved in the modern turmoil of Korea. This year, the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Russia, and the year of mutual cultural exchange, is a special exhibition ‘Young Russian Sabatin of 1883 Comes to Joseon’ (Subtitle: Sabatin Space and Memories). In addition to the content of the Sabatin Architecture Photographic Exhibition held in Moscow in 2018 organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, additional materials obtained by the Administration of Cultural Heritage through last year’s research service were collected. The auditorium on the second floor of Jungmyeongjeon Hall was filled with 3 architectural models, 7 videos, and dozens of photos to recreate a snapshot of history.

Sabatin’s testimony about the Eulmi incident and a map of the incident’s location are currently in the archives of foreign policy documents in Russia. The exhibition prologue presents why Sabatin is drawing attention to modern Korean history through animations produced based on this. This section, which follows, lists related photographs, models, and records of modern buildings that were actually built by Sabatin or believed to have been involved in the design and construction. At a press conference on the 19th, curator Lee Jeong-soo from the Department of Modern Cultural Heritage of the Cultural Heritage Administration said: “The only safe thing is Gwanmungak (Gyeongbokgung Palace) and the Russian Legation, but he participated in 10 modern buildings. such as Jemulpo Club, Jungmyeongjeon, Jeong Kwanheon (Deoksugunk Hotel) and Sontagunkg. There is an estimate. ”

The Cultural Heritage Administration celebrates the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Russia this year, a special exhibition featuring Russian architect Apanashi Ivanovic Seredin Sabatin (1860-1921), who was active in the modern Joseon dynasty. Coming to Joseon ‘(Subtitle: The space and memories left by Sabatin) will take place from November 19 to 11. The image is the first design drawing of the Russian legation. [제정러시아 대외정책문서보관소 제공. 사진=문화재청]

In particular, the process of building the Russian legation, redesigned by Sabatin at the request of the Russian agency and Consul General Beber, draws attention. The initial draft, originally designed by the Russian architect Ljubanov, had the dignity of a palace, but was not made due to a large budget, and Sabatin cut the construction cost by a third and completed it in 18 months. Kim Young-soo, a research professor at Seoul University (Ph.D. of Architecture), who was in charge of the exhibition’s curator, said: “It seems that Sabatin tried to bring ideas to life and reduce construction costs without significantly altering the existing draft “. It is worth mentioning that the estimate (copy) at that time was converted and quoted in the Mexican dollar, which was used as the key currency. A petition was also released in which Sabatin, who did not receive the construction cost on time, claimed the money backed by the consulate.

The Russian ambassador to Korea Andrei Kulik, who attended the press conference of the ‘1883 Russian Youth Sabatin Comes to Joseon’ held at the Jungmyeongjeon Hall in Deoksugung, Jung-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 19, is looking at the data from the Russian embassy. Sabatin participated in the design and construction of buildings during his time in the modern Joseon Dynasty and witnessed the Eulmi Incident on October 8, 1895. [연합뉴스]

The Russian legation, completed after twists and turns, was characterized by towering arcades and square towers that were popular at the time. Most of the buildings disappeared after the bombings during the Korean War. In this exhibit, there is an image of an unlicensed shantytown that had entered the empty lot along with the image of the legation building that was ruined immediately after the war. Some huts may have been located at the location of the bedrooms where King Gojong once stood. Currently, only the square tower (Historic Site No. 253) remains at the headquarters of the Legation Hall, where the Legal Center was built for a time.

At the opening ceremony on that day, the Russian Ambassador to Korea Andrei Kulik said: “September 30 was the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, but friendly relations between the two countries have continued for more than 150 years since the Trade Treaty between Russia and Russia in 1884 “. Emphasized. Chung Jae-sook, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, said: “Through this exhibition, I also learned the need to expand architectural research in the modern period of Korea, where the aspirations of the modern state of King Gojong emerged. Jungmyeongjeon Hall, which is located between Deoksugung Palace and Stonewall Road, is closed every Monday and admission is free. The exhibition is open until November 11. On the first floor, there is a permanent exhibition on the signed Eulsa Wolf Treaty illegally.

Reporter Kang Hye-ran [email protected]