Rare portraits of Emperor Sunjong, Korea’s last monarch, are going on public display for the first time as Korea marks 100 years since his death, shedding light on the life of a ruler whose reign coincided with collapse of the Korean Empire. The National Palace Museum of Korea opened the special exhibition on Friday in its permanent Korean Empire gallery, featuring two royal portraits, historical photographs and newly reconstructed military uniform worn by Emperor Gojong. Sunjong (1874-1926), the second and final emperor of Korean Empire, ascended throne in 1907 after Japan forced his father, Gojong, to abdicate. Born as second son of Gojong and Empress Myeongseong, Sunjong became crown prince in 1875 and crown prince of Korean Empire in 1897, when his father proclaimed its establishment. His years as heir were marked by political upheaval, including the assassination of his mother by Japanese forces in 1895 and Gojong’s flight to the Russian legation year later. Japan subsequently stripped Sunjong of effective governing authority, and the Korean Empire was forcibly annexed in 1910, a