Kim Yun-sik's Idea Of "Dependency And Autonomy" And Its Implementation

In modern times,both Qing dynasty and Choson faced the influence of western power.The Qing Dynasty intended to strengthen the control of Choson in order to sustain the tributary system.And Choson had to protect the national interests itself.Under this background,the Sino-Choson relation had to be adjusted and reorganized to adapt the varying international relation.Therefore,Li Hongzhang proposed"dependency and autonomy",which meant that Choson was one of the vassal states of China,but could handle the internal and external affairs and Qing Dynasty could interveneChoson affairs.Kim Yun-sik,dispatched to China as envoy,formed his own idea of "dependency and autonomy".In his opinion,"dependency" was limited between Qing and Choson,and "autonomy" referred to the relation among Choson and other countries.Kim thought that Choson should deal with nation affairs independently,and "dependency" was one mean to protect "autonomy".The divergence between Kim and Li led to relation deterioration of the two country.The idea of "dependency and autonomy" of Kim Yun-sik was an important idea which conducted Choson's diplomacy.Therefore,this paper will discuss what the concrete content of "dependency and autonomy" was and how Kim Yun-sik implemented this idea.When the Im-o Mutiny occurred,Kim Yun-sik introduced the interior circumstances of Choson and provided some available suggestions.After Kim went back to Choson,he started to help Yuan Shikai train the Seoul and Ganghwa troops and deployed the defense around Ganghwalsland.During the Gapsin Coup,Kim Yun-sik requested the troop of Qing Dynasty to intervene and he helped Yuan decide how to quell this coup and rescue the King from danger.After the Capsin Coup,Kim Yun-sik assumed the office of the Minister of TongliYamen(the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).When the 1stChoson-Russia Secret Treaty Event occurred,faced with the threat of Russia,Kim refused Russia's unjustifiable demand.Then,Kim set about handling the Port Hamilton Incident When the Britain occupied the Port Hamilton,Kim tried to negotiate with Britain to dispose this diplomatic event,and he wanted to show the autonomy to other countries.But after the negotiation remaained stalled,Kim sought help from Yuan Shikai.Finally,With the help of Qing Dynasty,the Britain withdraw troops from the Port Hamilton.In 1885,Boundary issue occurred between China and Choson due to the Choson's roamers.Kim Yun-sik proposed that the controversial land was Qing's territory but Choson could rent land to install the roamers and Choson could administrate them.But this proposition was contradict with national sovereignty,so it was rejected by Li Hongzhang.From Kim's practice of "dependency and autonomy",we can conclude that it was difficult to achieve "autonomy".Kim argued that only under the protection of Qing Dynasty,would Choson deal with the interior and diplomatic affairs.If not,Choson might be annexed by other countries.But it was because of Choson's weak national power,Choson was difficult to make decision independently.When the relation of Qing and Choson became inharmonious,Choson hoped to get out of the control of China,and Kim Yun-sik,who depended on Qing firmly,was inevitable to be removed from the office.The idea "dependency and autonomy" was a trial by which Qing and Choson adjusted their relation.And it could solve some problems during a period of time,but as the open become wider,Choson demanded to get rid of Qing's control,and the Sino-Choson relation became deteriorate.