The Tragic Life of the Last Princess of Korea
January 16, 1962, a middle-aged woman stepped out of a plane in South Korea surrounded by reporters, her nurse helping her down the stairs. Her eyes were blank and she did not speak at all to the reporters bombarding her with photographs and questions. A news headline for the day read: “Princess Deokhye Returns Home, Immediately Admitted to University Hospital”.
Princess Deokye, at fifty years old, finally returned home after thirty-eight years in Japan.
Early years and Japan
Born to King Gojong, the second last king of Joseon, in 1912, Princess Deokhye was the favorite of many members of the royal family, including her father. Although Joseon was already annexed by Japan in 1910, she lived through comfortable years in Seoul because Japan promised security and status for the royal family. She attended preschool and elementary in Seoul, being remembered as a smart and outgoing student.
Her life was taken apart in 1925 when her father died. It meant national grief for Koreans but it particularly affected the Princess’ mental health. Japan had only kept the…
