The Song Dynasty, Korea Policy

From 10 to the 13th century, the regional structure which formed for the center of Han Nationality dynasty and based on the idea of"the world as a whole"has the fission in the East Asian mainland. The political power which established by the north minority nationality becomes the Dominator of the East Asian, however, the strength of Song Dynasty which established by Han nationality was not only insufficient to control the East Asia, but also faced to invasion and humiliation of the minority nationality political power frequently. In this special political atmosphere, the Song Dynasty carried out what foreign policy to another relatively formidable country——Korea in the East Asia mostly affected by the relationship between Song Dynasty and the political power of the minority nationality. In order to maintain own maximum benefit, Song Dynasty had to adjust the policy to Korea in time according to the change of realistic environment.In the beginning of Northern Song Dynasty, The rulers were ambitious, posed as a legitimate successor of the Han and Tang Dynasty, with thick consciousness of"Great Kingdom", they strengthened to control Korean Peninsula through frequent conferred rank and title, which Inherited the traditional policy of Tang dynasty. However, because of lacking in the support of strong military power, this kind of strengthening control's diplomatic act had not served the Song Dynasty anticipated purpose as far as the diplomatic actual effect is concerned, but still caused the Song-Korea relationship filling Political complexion in the first third-ten yeas of Song Dynasty, Song Dynasty and Korea can form tributary relations which is model and essence.Around the Pledge of Chan-Yuan, Liao took the proper opportunity of south stable started a war to Korea and forced it to submit; Although Korea submitted to Liao, still positived to seeking help and support from Song Dynasty; because of disastrous defeat many times in Song-Liao wars, Song Dynasty had nothing to do but to receive great ambition inheriting the glorious age of Tang, and lay down the position of"Great Kingdom"to maintain peace achievement between Song and Liao. In this case, Song Dynasty basically gave up the policy of strengthening the control to Korea at the beginning of Song Dynasty and estranged Korea consciously, carried out one kind"no interfering"foreign policy to Korea. That is, developing the Song-Korea relationship must not do harm to Song-Liao relationship at first, Song Dynasty did not involve in war conflict between Liao and Korea, also treat Korea envoy warmly. As a result, this policy not only maintained stable and peace between Song and Liao, but also relate space for developing the Song-Korea relationship later, which demonstrated the diplomatic skill of Song was mature.At the mid and late part of 11th century, Song, Liao and Korea launched strategy gamble comprehensively in East Asia area, at the same time, each countries' domestic political environment also had a new change. In order to meet the need of realistic environmental variation, Song Dynasty adjusted the foreign strategy positively, adopted initiative enterprising policy to the Korean, Namely integrated Korea to Song Dynasty's whole defensive strategy conception, positived to carrying out the"allying Korea to constrain Liao"diplomacy, and took many measures to guarantee that"allying Korea"diplomatic to be carried out, The Song-Korea relationship obtained the enormous development room, economy and cultural exchange frequently; The bilateral diplomatic envoy intercourse unceasingly and founded the new epoch of the Song-Korea relationship. Compared this time to the beginning of Song Dynasty dispatched an official to Korea to request the establishment military alliance on the war, this approaches appeared more planning, pointing and effective.At the beginning of 12th century, Jin Dynasty emerged, who eliminated Liao and Northern Song Dynasty successively, forced Korea to tribute as subject, and constructed international political new order taken Jin Dynasty as the central in the East Asian area. Facing to the changes of East Asia political situation, the Southern Song Dynasty royal government which the national strength falling have to adjust the policy to Korea, gave up initiative diplomacy to Korea gradually, and also no longer keeping warm-heart to Korea's initiative diplomacy action and rejected the request of Korea tribute many times. As a result, one kind of guard, close, negative policy to Korea formed and led the diplomacy practice between Song and Korea hundred years after that.Through inspecting the policy of Song Dynasty to Korea, we can draw the following conclusion: 1.The policy of Song Dynasty to Korea presents a obvious gradual characteristic; 2.Although the policy of Song Dynasty to Korea presents the unpredictable representation, actually it has one development trend which from"pursue name"to"pursue advantage", from"pursue principles"to"pursue practice", from"open"to"close"; 3.The policy of Song Dynasty to Korea presents the utilitarian goal which makes use of favorable conditions and avoid unfavorable conditions obviously; 4.The policy of Song Dynasty to Korea contains the intense strategic safety consciousness.Affecting the policy of Song Dynasty to Korea is various, As far as the external factors is concerned, which includes two aspect contents, that is the geographical and East Asia international inter-dynamic factors; however the internal reason is very complex, mainly including five aspect contents: a generation of experience before Dynasty; governor's foreign idea; domestic politics influence; the influence and pressure of contemporary public opinion; national strength and so on. But playing the decision role in the policy of Song Dynasty to Korea truly is the vicissitude of the realistic factor, because of the uncertainty of realistic factor, the policy of Song Dynasty to Korea presents the flexible characteristics. The change is not at random, but closely regards to maintain Song Dynasty's maximum benefit to launch. Seeking national interest's maximization is the most basic standpoint and objective point for the policy of Song Dynasty to Korea.