Eyewitness to the Eulmi Incident, Making a Mark in Modern Architectural History

Cultural Heritage Administration Special Exhibition '1883 Russian Youth Sabatin Comes to Joseon'
Highlighting Sabatin's Memories and Buildings Touched by His Hand

Main Building and Front Gate of the Russian Consulate

The Eulmi Incident was an event on October 8, 1895, when Japanese Minister Miura Goro stormed Gyeongbokgung Palace and assassinated Empress Myeongseong. Two foreigners witnessed this scene: Russian architect Afanasy Ivanovich Seredin-Sabatin (1860?1921), who was on duty at Gyeongbokgung Palace, and American General McLeavy Brown. They observed the incident from around 4 a.m. at Gonnyeonghap in Geoncheonggung (the residence of Empress Myeongseong). Sabatin left records such as maps and testimonies.

An exhibition reflecting on Sabatin’s experiences in Joseon is being prepared. The Cultural Heritage Administration is holding a special exhibition titled “1883 Russian Youth Sabatin Comes to Joseon” online and on the second floor of Deoksugung Palace’s Jungmyeongjeon until the 11th of next month. It highlights Sabatin’s memories and the architectural works he touched upon, commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Russia.

Sabatin first set foot on Joseon soil in 1883 as a customs inspector aboard a ship at Incheon Customs. Until he left in 1904, he was responsible for constructing the Jemulpo Port pier, designing and overseeing the construction of palace buildings and modern architecture in the Jeongdong area. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, “He also participated in the construction of the Russian legation related to the Agwan Pacheon, significantly influencing our modern architectural history.”

Sabatine Portrait

The exhibition is divided into four parts. The prologue deals with the Eulmi Incident, which Sabatin witnessed and recorded. It shows videos of the map he drew of the assassination site of Empress Myeongseong and the testimonies documenting the event.

Part 1, “Russian Youth Sabatin Who Came to Joseon,” reviews Sabatin’s diverse activities through materials. It covers records of his witnessing the Eulmi Incident, leaving Joseon, returning in 1899, and engaging in architectural and civil engineering projects until 1904. It also sheds light on the history of the Korean Peninsula, caught in the rivalry and conflicts of great powers. A representative example is the Joseon ratification document of the Korea-Russia Treaty of Amity and Commerce signed on July 7, 1884, shown in photographs from the Russian Empire’s Foreign Policy Document Archive.

Part 2, “The Russian Legation, Touched by Sabatin’s Hand,” traces back to the construction of the Russian legation. This building’s design and land acquisition were led by Beber, the Russian acting minister and consul general, but faced difficulties due to budget issues. Sabatin revised the budget and design, enabling the completion of the construction. The Cultural Heritage Administration said, “You can examine the twists and turns and detailed construction process the Russian legation went through until completion, including the original design, completion plans, estimates calculated in Mexican dollars, and petitions requesting construction payments.”

Special Exhibition '1883 Russian Youth Savatin Comes to Joseon'

Part 3, “Sabatin Walks Through Jemulpo and Hanseong,” displays models and photographs of twelve buildings in Jemulpo and Hanseong. These include the Russian legation, Gwanmungak, Jemulpo Club, Independence Gate, Sontag Hotel, and Deoksugung Palace’s Jungmyeongjeon and Jeonggwanheon. All are places where Sabatin is believed to have participated in or been involved with their construction.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.