From suzerainty to commerce: Sino-Korean economic and business relations during the Open Port Period (1876--1910)

This study examines the changing relations between Choson Korea and Qing China in the last few decades before the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910. It explores the transition from traditional tributary ties to relations that much more closely resemble modern imperialism. While the Qing attempt to establish an informal empire in Korea had many important political and strategic ramifications, this study focuses on the economic and commercial aspects of Sino-Korean relations.; This study approaches this issue from a number of perspectives. First, it describes the transition from old to new relations and considers the implications of this transition for both evaluations of China's self-strengthening movement (and Qing foreign policy in general) and for the relationship between Qing imperialism and Korean reform efforts. It then examines the Qing mediation of the introduction of a Chinese-style treaty port system to Korea. It argues that the norms and institutions associated with this system had a dramatic impact on the way in which foreign commerce was able to penetrate and influence the Korean economy. It also investigates the unprecedented efforts of the Qing Empire to provide official encouragement and support for Chinese commercial ventures in Korea.; The study then considers patterns and participants in Korea's foreign trade. It argues that only by considering trade at a regional level—“regional” referring to both regions within Korea itself and to Northeast Asia as a whole—can a clear picture of trends and developments in Korea's foreign trade emerge. A vital part of this more complete picture is the significance and tenacity of Chinese commercial enterprise in Korea.; While patterns of trade owe much to the institutional framework of the treaty-port system, to official support for Chinese commerce, to global industrial and commercial trends, and to Korea's physical geography, they are also influenced by the nature of the merchants themselves.; What emerges from this wide-ranging exploration is a picture of far greater dynamism, innovation, tenacity, and sheer influence than is found in the usual portrayals of a Qing Empire in decline fumbling about in Korea. Bringing China back into considerations of the history of Northeast Asia in the late nineteenth century will go far to provide a more complete picture of events.