Joseon missions to Imperial China
Encyclopedia
Joseon missions to Imperial China were Joseon
diplomatic ventures which were intermittently sent in the years 1392-1910. These represent a significant aspect of the international relations of mutual Joseon-Chinese contacts and communication.
(serving the great) diplomacy in dealings with China. The chronology of one side in a bilateral relationship stands on its own.
This long-term, strategic policy contrasts with the gyorin
(kyorin) (neighborly relations) diplomacy in dealings with Jurchen, Japan
, Ryukyu Kingdom
, Siam and Java
. Gyorin was applied to a multi-national foreign policy. The unique nature of these bilateral diplomatic exchanges evolved from a conceptual framework developed by the Chinese. Gradually, the theoretical models would be modified, mirroring the evolution of a unique relationship.
considered 1392 as the foundation of the Joseon kingdom, Imperial China did not immediately acknowledge the new government on the Korean peninsula. In 1401, the Ming court recognized Joseon as a tributary state in its sino-centric schema of foreign relations. In 1403, the Yung-lo emperor conveyed a patent and a gold seal to Taejong of Joseon
, thus confirming his status and that of his dynasty.
Despite the label "tributary state", China did not interfere in Joseon domestic affairs and diplomacy. Between 1392 and 1450, the Joseon court sent 351 missions to China.
competed for profits; and they even accompanied the envoy missions to China in their search for new opportunities for financial gain.
Joseon Dynasty politics
The politics of the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910, were governed by the reigning ideology of Korean Confucianism, a form of Neo-Confucianism. Political struggles were common between different factions of the scholar-officials...
diplomatic ventures which were intermittently sent in the years 1392-1910. These represent a significant aspect of the international relations of mutual Joseon-Chinese contacts and communication.
Joseon diplomacy
A series diplomatic ventures illustrate the persistence of Joseon's sadaeSadae
Sadae is a Korean historical and philosophical term.It may also refer to:* Sadae , a governmental office of Taebong* Sadaejuui , a modern Korean polemical term...
(serving the great) diplomacy in dealings with China. The chronology of one side in a bilateral relationship stands on its own.
This long-term, strategic policy contrasts with the gyorin
Gyorin
Gyorin was a neo-Confucian term developed in Joseon Korea. The term was intended to identify and characterize a diplomatic policy which establishes and maintains amicable relations with neighboring states...
(kyorin) (neighborly relations) diplomacy in dealings with Jurchen, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Ryukyu Kingdom
Ryukyu Kingdom
The Ryūkyū Kingdom was an independent kingdom which ruled most of the Ryukyu Islands from the 15th century to the 19th century. The Kings of Ryūkyū unified Okinawa Island and extended the kingdom to the Amami Islands in modern-day Kagoshima Prefecture, and the Sakishima Islands near Taiwan...
, Siam and Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
. Gyorin was applied to a multi-national foreign policy. The unique nature of these bilateral diplomatic exchanges evolved from a conceptual framework developed by the Chinese. Gradually, the theoretical models would be modified, mirroring the evolution of a unique relationship.
Envoys to the Ming court
Although the Joseon DynastyJoseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
considered 1392 as the foundation of the Joseon kingdom, Imperial China did not immediately acknowledge the new government on the Korean peninsula. In 1401, the Ming court recognized Joseon as a tributary state in its sino-centric schema of foreign relations. In 1403, the Yung-lo emperor conveyed a patent and a gold seal to Taejong of Joseon
Taejong of Joseon
King Taejong was the third king of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea and the father of King Sejong the Great.-Founding of Joseon:...
, thus confirming his status and that of his dynasty.
Despite the label "tributary state", China did not interfere in Joseon domestic affairs and diplomacy. Between 1392 and 1450, the Joseon court sent 351 missions to China.
| Year | Sender | Joseon chief envoy | Emperor of China | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1592 | Seonjo Seonjo of Joseon King Seonjo ruled in Korea between 1567 and 1608. He was the fourteenth king of the Joseon Dynasty. He is known for encouraging Confucianism and renovating state affairs at the beginning of his reign, although political chaos and his incompetent leadership during the Japanese invasions of Korea... |
Yi Deok-hyeong | Wanli Wanli Emperor The Wanli Emperor was emperor of China between 1572 and 1620. His era name means "Ten thousand calendars". Born Zhu Yijun, he was the Longqing Emperor's third son... |
Joseon mission dispatched to Ming China to ask for military support |
| 1597 | Seonjo Seonjo of Joseon King Seonjo ruled in Korea between 1567 and 1608. He was the fourteenth king of the Joseon Dynasty. He is known for encouraging Confucianism and renovating state affairs at the beginning of his reign, although political chaos and his incompetent leadership during the Japanese invasions of Korea... |
Yi Su-gwang Yi Su-gwang Yi Su-gwang , also known as Lee Sugwang, was a Korean sarim, a military official, and a diplomat of the Joseon Dynasty. He was also an academic and an encyclopedist who created Jibong yuseol, the earliest Korean encyclopedia.-Early life:... |
Wanli Wanli Emperor The Wanli Emperor was emperor of China between 1572 and 1620. His era name means "Ten thousand calendars". Born Zhu Yijun, he was the Longqing Emperor's third son... |
Yi's encounters with Matteo Ricci Matteo Ricci Matteo Ricci, SJ was an Italian Jesuit priest, and one of the founding figures of the Jesuit China Mission, as it existed in the 17th-18th centuries. His current title is Servant of God.... provide impetus for the creation of the first Korean language encyclopedia |
- 1592 – Confronting Japanese invasion, Joseon sought aid from China.
- 1597 – Yi Su-gwangYi Su-gwangYi Su-gwang , also known as Lee Sugwang, was a Korean sarim, a military official, and a diplomat of the Joseon Dynasty. He was also an academic and an encyclopedist who created Jibong yuseol, the earliest Korean encyclopedia.-Early life:...
was the Joseon chief envoy from the Joseon court.
Envoys to the Qing court
In this period, Joseon merchants of Gaeseong and HanyangHanyang
Hanyang was one of the three cities that merged into modern-day Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei province, People's Republic of China. Currently, it is a district and stands between the Han River and the Yangtze River, where the former falls into the latter...
competed for profits; and they even accompanied the envoy missions to China in their search for new opportunities for financial gain.
| Year | Sender | Joseon chief envoy | Emperor of China | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1795 | Jeongjo Jeongjo of Joseon King Jeongjo was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He made various attempts to reform and improve the nation of Joseon. He was preceded by his grandfather King Yeongjo and succeeded by his son King Sunjo... |
– | Qianlong Qianlong Emperor The Qianlong Emperor was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796... |
Offering congratulations; celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Qianlong's reign. |
| 1872 | Gojong | Park Gyu-su Park Gyu-su Park Gyu-su was a scholar-bureaucrat, a teacher, a politician and a diplomat of Joseon Dynasty Korea. He was known as a pioneer of the enlightenment group. Park Gyu-su was a grandson of Park Ji-won, the great Silhak scholar of the Joseon.... |
Tongzhi Tongzhi Emperor The Tongzhi Emperor , born Aisin-Gioro Dzai Šun, was the tenth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the eighth Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1861 to 1875. His reign, which effectively lasted through his adolescence, was largely overshadowed by the rule of his mother, the Empress... |
. |
- 1795 – The first and only American to be received in the court of the Qianlong EmperorQianlong EmperorThe Qianlong Emperor was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796...
took special note of the reception of Joseon ambassadors, who were received immediately preceding the Dutch embassy in which Andreas Everardus van Braam HouckgeestAndreas Everardus van Braam HouckgeestAndreas Everardus van Braam Houckgeest Dutch-American merchant who is mostly known for his participation in the last Dutch embassy to China under the tributary system.- Early career :...
had a role.
- 1872 – Park Gyu-suPark Gyu-suPark Gyu-su was a scholar-bureaucrat, a teacher, a politician and a diplomat of Joseon Dynasty Korea. He was known as a pioneer of the enlightenment group. Park Gyu-su was a grandson of Park Ji-won, the great Silhak scholar of the Joseon....
was the Joseon chief envoy to the court of the Tongzhi EmperorTongzhi EmperorThe Tongzhi Emperor , born Aisin-Gioro Dzai Šun, was the tenth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the eighth Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1861 to 1875. His reign, which effectively lasted through his adolescence, was largely overshadowed by the rule of his mother, the Empress...
, offering congratulations.
See also
- Goryeo missions to Imperial ChinaGoryeo missions to Imperial ChinaGoryeo missions to Imperial China were the diplomatic ventures of Kingdom of Goryeo which were intermittently sent in the years 918–1392, representing a significant aspect of the international relations of mutual Goryeon-Chinese contacts and communication....
- Joseon diplomacyJoseon diplomacyJoseon diplomacy was the foreign policy of Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1392 through 1910; and its theoretical and functional foundations were rooted in Neo-Confucian scholar-bureaucrats, institutions and philosophy....
- Joseon missions to JapanJoseon missions to JapanJoseon missions to Japan represent a crucial aspect of the international relations of mutual Joseon-Japanese contacts and communication. In sum, these serial diplomatic ventures illustrate the persistence of Joseon's kyorin diplomacy from 1392 to 1910.The chronology of one side in a bilateral...
- Joseon tongsinsa