Gabo Reform

The Gabo Reform (Gabo Gaehyeok (갑오 개혁; 甲午改革) or Gabo Gyeongjang (갑오 경장; 甲午更張) in Korean) describes a series of sweeping reforms introduced into Korea (at that time called Joseon) in 1894, during the reign of King Gojong.

At the time, the ruling Joseon Dynasty was under intense pressure from outside to open up, reform, and modernize, with Russia, Japan, and the United States competing for influence in the country. The Gabo Reforms were largely the work of a group of pro-Japanese public officials.

The name Gabo (갑오; 甲午) comes from the name of the year 1894 in the traditional Korean 60-year cycle based on the Chinese zodiac.