Yi Kang
His Imperial Highness Prince Gang (李堈 이강 i gang) of Korea, (대한제국 의친왕 이강 전하 dae han je guk eui chin wang i gang jeon ha), (born 30 March 1877 - ? August 1955) was the fifth son of Emperor Gwangmu of Korea and his concubine, Lady Jang who was a court's lady-in-waiting.
He received his given name of Gang and he also titled Euihwa-gun (義和君 의화군) with the style of His Royal Highness on 1891. He married Lady Kim Su-deok of Yeonam became known as the Princess Duk-in (born 22 December 1878 - 14 January 1964) a daughter of Baron Kim Sa-jun.
He could not raise the Crown Prince though he had many age than his younger brother, Prince Eun. Because the Japanese government whice selected the Crown Prince of Korea themselves actually, disliked him rebellious besides his own mother, Lady Jang died already his power to the throne was so weak.
He was appointed a special ambassador who visited Japan for the congratulation of Sino-Japanese war victory on 1894 and next year, He went on a visited to six European coutries of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, Italy and Austria one by one as an ambassador extraordinary.
He went the United States to study and promoted to the rank of Eui-Chinwang (義親王 의친왕) with the style of His Imperial Highness on 1899. He also served as President of Korean Red Cross from 1906 to 1910.
On 1919, He conferred with Choi Ik-hwan, a member of Daedongdan which tried to support him as the their new leader, and tried escape to the provisional government but he was found out in Manchuria, China and escorted to the home country. After, he was forced obey from Japanese government often but he didn't lose pride as a member of Korean imperial house to the end.
He died on 1955, aged 78, at Seongrak-won, his own cottage in Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk wards, Seoul, Korea and he buired at Hong'yu-reung in Namyang-ju.
Children
Prince Gang, a man had active personality with handsome features, had 14 wives except his lawful wife, Princess Duk-in and having had issue, 13 sons and 9 daughters.
- HH Prince Gun (이건 i geon) (1909 - 1991), the 1st son with his mistress, Lady Sugwan; m. Miss Matsudaira Yoshiko, a daughter of Captain Matsudaira Yutaka and his wife, a daughter of Marquis Nabeshima Naohiro, a maternal grandfather of Princess Bangja of Korea. He was naturalized in Japan.
- HH Prince Wu (이우 i u) (1912 - 1945), the 2nd son with his mistress, Lady Suin; m. Miss Park Chan-ju, a granddaughter of Marquis Park Yeonghyo who was husband of Princess Yeonghye of Korea, a daughter of King Cheoljong. He inherited the Unhyeon Palace with a title of Prince Jun, his father's first cousin.
- HH Prince Chang (이창 i chang) (1915 - death), the 4th son with Cho Byungsuk.
- HH Prince Gon (이곤 i gon) (1920 - death), the 6th son with Lady Suin.
- HH Prince Hyun (이현 i hyeon) (1922 - 1995), the 8th son with his mistress, Lady Sugyung. He was adopted to the Gyedong Palace.
- HH Prince Gap (이갑 i gap) (born 1938), the 10th son. Yi Won, his the only son will succeed the 30th Head of Imperial House upon the death of Won's foster father, Prince Imperial Gu of Korea
- HH Prince Seok (이석 i seok) (born 1940), the 11th son with his partner, Hong Jeongsun. He is living in Jeonju, Korea and currently a professor of history lecturing at University of Jeonju in the Korea.
- HH Prince Hwan (이환 i hwan) (born 1944), the 12th son with his partner, Kim Hyesu.
- HH Prince Jung (이정 i jeong) (born 1947), the 13th son with Hong Jeongsun.
- HH Princess Haewon (이해원 i hae won) (born 1919), the 2nd daughter with Lady Sudeok.
- HH Princess Haechun (이해춘 i hae chun) (born 1920), the 3rd daughter with his mistress, Lady Sugwan.
- HH Princess Haesuk (이해숙 i hae suk) (born 1920), the 4st daughter with his mistress, Lady Sugil.
- HH Princess Haegyung (이해경 i hae gyeong) (born 1930), the 5th daughter with his partner, Kim Geumdeok. She is Korean studies librarian at Starr East Asian Library of Columbia University, New York. and she is also an author of some royal biographies.
- HH Princess Hoeja (이회자 i hoe ja) (born 1940), the 6th daughter with Kim Hyesu.
- HH Princess Haeran (이해란 i hae ran) (born 1944), the 7th daughter with Hong Jeongsun
- HH Princess Haeryun (이해련 i hae ryeon) (born 1950), the 8th daughter with Hong Jeongsun.
- HH Princess Changhee (이창희 i chang hui) (born 1953), the 9th daughter with Kim Hyesu
Titles from birth
- His Royal Highness Prince Gang of Korea (1877 - 1891)
- His Royal Highness Prince Euihwa of Korea (eui hwa gun ma ma) (1891 - 1899)
- His Imperial Highness Gang, Prince Imperial Eui of Korea (eui chin wang jeon ha) (1899 - 1955)