Political intrigue of a royal sort. Cholchong, the last of the isolationist kings, dies. The Dowager queen, Cho, demands the seals of the Kingdom from the present queen, and gives the throne of Korea to Myung-bok. This is in 1864.

Queen Cho, we might add, is an enemy of Roman Catholicism.

Meanwhile, the King's father, Prince Tawun or Tawungun (later, "the Taewongun"), rises to become the real power in the land, as regent. Some say he was a great statesman, others, a demagogue. Others, just strong willed. Oliver claims he was one of the most able and determined politicians of the 500 year span of the Choson Dynasty. "A man of Machiavellian cunning, a master of intrigue, and in general an able administrator...wanted a full return to traditional Confucianism... by strict isolationism...close private schools where revolution bred...strengthen the power of the court...more taxes...prohibit import of British textiles and western goods..."

But he makes two mistakes: He decides to keep Romanism out by force, and he prevents Korea from making treaties.

He soon makes the daughter of the king's uncle, an orphan named Min Chirok, the queen. The move is designed to help himself be stronger by displacing members of the Queen mother's "Cho" clan. He thinks that an orphan without adult support will be unable to develop a court faction of her own. But he underestimates the now nationally famous "Queen Min". She rallies a Min clan faction that becomes dominant in the court.

In 1866 the Russians land and want to trade. They are told that Korea always checks in with Peking in matters of this nature. The Roman Catholic leadership suggests that Korea make an alliance with (Catholic) France and England to get rid of Russia. But the Regent says no. And he says no in a rather unique way. He schedules a public execution of all French priests.

Later that year the General Sherman breezes into port on the Tadong River, supposedly for trade. The captain is told, "No thanks!" and is ordered to back up and shove off. But the General keeps going. Near Pyongyang, the ill-fated ship gets stuck in the mud. Seizing the moment, a number of Koreans set fire to it, destroying the vessel and many of its passengers. Many of the unlucky survivors are killed by onlooking citizens.

Anchor chain from the General Sherman still sits in Pyongyang, a modern symbol of North Korean resolve to be independent of the world, cooperation...and success.

The Roman Catholic persecution continues. That is, the persecution of Romanists, not the other way around that was the norm for so many centuries. France decides to attack Korea. After all, they have already taken China. French boats come up the Han River through the middle of Seoul, the city panics, and one-fourth of the population exits immediately.

An order is issued as religious politics are stirred up. All "Christians" are to be put to death after only a preliminary trial.

Then, Japan is invited to defend Korea. Though this would have been a dream venture for that nation, and it shall be soon, there is no response. The fact is that, like the U.S., Japan is near civil war .

The French take the island of Kangwha, but that is all they take. The nation that had overcome China is totally stopped by Korea!

Obviously the Roman Catholic persecution continues. Surely believers of other stripes are involved. Perhaps 8,000 are killed? They are starved and frozen to death. In September of 1868 , 2000 Christians perish.

We'll rejoin this history in the next decade... Much to think and pray about here. A form of Christianity being decimated because its Roman leaders want to rule by the sword. Utter shame and failure. But where are the born again? Where are the people of faith in this period? Where are they today?