born 1821
died 1898
Father of the last ruling Korean king, Kojong (r. 1864–1907), and regent (1864–73).
As regent, Taewon-gun inaugurated reforms to strengthen the central government. He also modernized Korea's armies. He opposed concessions to Japan or the West but was kidnapped and held in China three years, during which time his power and many of his reforms were eliminated.