One of the Five Eulsa Traitors · Minister of Military Affairs (pro-Japanese collaborator)
Same-name figures:
이근택(李根澤) — Independence patriot · Manchuria region · Patriotic Medal (Aeguk-jang, 1995)
| Life | 1865 ~ 1919 |
| Era | 근현대 |
| Clan | 전주 이씨 |
Yi Geun-taek was a military official and minister of the Korean Empire from Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. He passed the military examination in 1884 and rose through the ranks after catching notice for a gift of fish presented to Empress Myeongseong, going on to serve as magistrate of Dancheon and Gilju and as a naval commander.
Pro-Japanese activities. While serving as Minister of War in 1905, he supported the Eulsa Treaty and was condemned as one of the 'Five Eulsa Traitors' along with Yi Wan-yong, Yi Ji-yong, Bak Je-sun, and Gwon Jung-hyeon. For cooperating with the 1910 annexation of Korea he was granted the title of viscount and appointed an advisor to the Governor-General's Central Council. According to a well-known anecdote, a servant who saw him rejoicing after signing the treaty rebuked him and left his service.