A Study On Foreign Relations During The Regent DaeWonGoon In ChoSun Dynasty Of Korea

During 19th century, when the Western Capitalistic Movement expanded into Asia and the West was seeking trade with the East, Korea has consistently adopted no-negotiation policy and remained closed. This was due to 'toadyism and good-neighbor policy' in Korea, which centered on China and Japan. Common people were suffering due to corrupt and complacent government that has been in power for 3 generations over 60 years or so. It was at this time that the Regent HeungSun-DaeWonGoon came into power and played a decisive role in bringing order and enforcing law within the country and choosing to reject all foreign trade apart from China and Japan. For this reason the Regent DaeWonGoon became an infamous seclusionist in the history of Korea. However , his decisions are justifiable given the circumstances of the period and cannot be seen as one man' s biased opinion. Thus, it is the purpose of this thesis to defend the Regent DaeWonGoon and clear his name.This thesis consists of three parts: introduction, main body followed by conclusion. The introduction describes the motivation of research, meaning of the topic, arrangement, methods and range of the research. The body is made up of 5 chapters.The first chapter describes the political background in which the Regent DaeWonGoon came to power. First section summarises the socialstructure whilst the second section describes the domestic policy adopted by the Regent DaeWonGoon to empower the central government (i.e. the court) as opposed to local government (the Four Factions). He achieved this by impartial employment as well as reorganization of the political structure. This section also looks at the reconstruction of the King' s Palace (KyungBokGoong) despite the objection of the common people in order to display court splendour and power. Also described in this second section are the new tax system to help the common people and new education system in the local areas, which weakened the local government, thus strengthening the central government.The second chapter shows the relationship between Korea and its immediate neighbours, China and Japan. First section describes the diplomatic relationship between Korea and China before ChoSun Dynasty and during the period in which the Regent DaeWonGoon was able to come into power. Second section centers on the relationship between Korea and Japan just before and after the Regent DeaWonGoon came to power.The third chapter states the relationship between Korea and France. First section gives the background. Second section talks about the Korean-French War as a result of execution of French Catholics in Korea. Third section studies the relationship between Korea and France as a result of this war.The forth chapter declares the relationship between Korea and America. First section again gives a simple background. Second section is a description of the Korean-American War as a result of the General Sherman incident. Third section looks at the failure to open up international trade despite American victory in the War.The fifth chapter declares the relationship between Korea and Russia. First section describes Russian expansion into the East up tothe point of reaching the Korean border. Then the second section is about the approaches taken by the Russians to open negotiation with Korea. Third section is about Korean understanding of unofficial relationship that took place between the two countries.Finally, the conclusion shows that given the above facts, the Regent DeaWonGoon has made a just and discerning judgment to protect the independence of our country before the coming threats of foreign powers, which came in the name of trade.