Since the nineteenth century, globalization has been progressing rapidly and Korea has been incorporated into the world system. In Korean history, this incorporation has been referred to in terms of - “opening” Korea - Korea was both for and again...
Since the nineteenth century, globalization has been progressing rapidly and Korea has been incorporated into the world system. In Korean history, this incorporation has been referred to in terms of - “opening” Korea - Korea was both for and against the new international order. Resistance to new international realities can be seen in the Korean reaction to the French campaign against Korea (1866),the American incursion (1871) and the Im-0 Military Revolt (1882).
On the other hand, acceptance of new international realities may be seen in the conclusion of the treaties of friendship with England, America and Germany in 1882. But after 1882, Korea was attacked by Japan and Western powers. A vulnerable Korea was left open to the whims of the British occupation of Port Hamilton in 1885,the Sino-Japanese War in 1894/95 and the Russo-Japanese War in 1904/05.
The Russo-Japanese War was not only a fight to gain hegemony in Eastern Asia, but also produced much change in the world system. As soon as war erupted, allies of the belligerent countries enabled the signing of the Entente Cordiale between England and France to avoid the spread of war. The German government thought that reconciliation between England and France was impossible and was dangerous for Germany. Therefore, the German statesman, Friedrich von Holstein, tried to destroy the Entente Cordiale - and attempted to deny French privilege in Morocco - but Germany was defeated diplomatically in Algeciras-Conference, and Morocco became a French colony.
Japan, in the victor in the Russo-Japanese War, attempted to create a protectorate in Korea. In the end, an agreement between Korea and Japan was concluded, during which negotiations where force and arms were averted. At the time, Korea’s King, Kojong, - sought the independence of Korea by- sending two telegrams and a secret letter to the German government and the Kaiser, Wilhelm II. However, the Auswärtiges Amt did not report the correspondences to the Kaiser. At the outbreak of the First World War, King Kojong sent the Kaiser a secret letter, which anticipated Germany’s triumph, Japan’s defeat and Korea’s independence. Again, however, the Auswärtiges Amt failed to report this to the Kaiser.