The Korean Empire (Daehan Jeguk; 대한 제국; 大韓帝國) existed from 1897 to 1910. In 1897, under the King Gojong, the name of Korea from Joseon to Daehan Jeguk, making the country an empire and Gojong its first emperor. In 1907, Korea became a protectorate of Japan, which forced Gojong to abdicate in favour of his son Sunjong, who became Korea's second and last emperor. In 1910, Korea became a Japanese colony.