Kanji 李王職 Hangul 이왕직 Revised Romanization Iwangjik | Romanization Ri Ōshoku Hanja 李王職 McCune–Reischauer Iwangchik | |
The Office of the Yi Dynasty or called Yiwangjik was an organization to manage every affairs related to the royal House of Yi of Korea during the Japanese occupation. It was established in February 1911 under the direction of the Japanese Government-General of Korea. As the Empire of Korea was relegated to the Yi Dynasty after the annexation of Korea to Japan in 1910, Yiwangjik was descended from "Gungnaebu"(Department of the Royal Household) of the Korean Empire which was in charge of the affairs of the royal family. It is also translated into English as "Yi Royal Household" or "Office of Yi Royal Family" The term, Yiwangjik comprises three words in Korean; Yi means the House of Yi and "wang" means titles and ranks of the royalty by Japanese investiture, and jik refers to government office.
The office also governed the affairs related to documenting the House of Yi, so compiled the Annal of Gojong and Sujong. Appointments, rewards, and punishment on officers of Yiwangjik was governed by the Japanese Imperial Household Ministry as well as supervised by the Governor-General of Korea.