Although there were requests for reform from within the Yi Dynasty Korea, such as the Gapsin Coup that occurred after the opening of the country, Daewongun and Empress Myeongseong wanted to maintain the traditional Yi Dynasty Korea.
開国後、甲申政変が起きるなど、李氏朝鮮の内部からも改革の要請は出ていたが、大院君、閔妃はあくまでも旧来の、李氏朝鮮王朝を守り通そうとしていた。