United Kingdom-Korea Treaty of 1883
Encyclopedia
The United Kingdom-Korea Treaty of 1883 was negotiated between representatives of the United Kingdom and Korea.
In 1882, the Americans concluded a treaty and established diplomatic relations, which served as a template for subsequent negotiations with other Western powers.
Ministers from the United Kingdom to Korea were appointed in accordance with this treaty; and these diplomats were: Sir Harry Parkes
, appointed in 1884; Sir John Bart Walsham, appointed in 1885; Hon. Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor, in 1892; Sir Claude Maxwell
, in 1896; John Jordan
in 1898.
The treaty remained in effect even after the Japanese protectorate
was established in 1905, and only came to and end in 1910 when Japan annexed Korea.
Under the treaty, Great Britain obtained extraterritorial rights in Korea and from 1883 to 1910, British subjects in Korea were not subject to the jurisdiction of Korean courts, but instead were tried or had civil cases brought against them in British consular courts or the British Supreme Court for China and Japan
which was called the Supreme Court for China and Corea between 1900 and 1910.
Background
In 1876, Korea established a trade treaty with Japan after Japanese ships approached Ganghwado and threatened to fire on the Korean capital city. Treaty negotiations with several Western countries were made possible by the completion of this initial Japanese overture.In 1882, the Americans concluded a treaty and established diplomatic relations, which served as a template for subsequent negotiations with other Western powers.
Treaty provisions
The British and Koreans negotiated and approved a multi-article treaty with provisions similar to other Western nations.Ministers from the United Kingdom to Korea were appointed in accordance with this treaty; and these diplomats were: Sir Harry Parkes
Harry Smith Parkes
Sir Harry Smith Parkes was a 19th century British diplomat who worked mainly in China and Japan...
, appointed in 1884; Sir John Bart Walsham, appointed in 1885; Hon. Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor, in 1892; Sir Claude Maxwell
Claude Maxwell MacDonald
Colonel Sir Claude Maxwell MacDonald GCMG GCVO KCB PC was a British diplomat, best known for his service in China and Japan.-Biography:...
, in 1896; John Jordan
John Jordan (diplomat)
Sir John Newell Jordan GCMG GCIE KCB PC was a British diplomat.Jordan was born in Balloo, County Down, Ireland, the son of a wealthy Presbyterian farmer. He apparently never lost his Irish accent. He was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Queen's College, Belfast and Queen's...
in 1898.
The treaty remained in effect even after the Japanese protectorate
Korea under Japanese rule
Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
was established in 1905, and only came to and end in 1910 when Japan annexed Korea.
Under the treaty, Great Britain obtained extraterritorial rights in Korea and from 1883 to 1910, British subjects in Korea were not subject to the jurisdiction of Korean courts, but instead were tried or had civil cases brought against them in British consular courts or the British Supreme Court for China and Japan
British Supreme Court for China and Japan
The British Supreme Court for China and Japan was a court established in the Shanghai International Settlement in 1865 to try cases against British subjects in China and Japan, and from 1883, Korea, under the principles of Extraterritoriality. The court also heard appeals from consular courts in...
which was called the Supreme Court for China and Corea between 1900 and 1910.
See also
- List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to North Korea
- List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to South Korea
- Unequal treatiesUnequal Treaties“Unequal treaty” is a term used in specific reference to a number of treaties imposed by Western powers, during the 19th and early 20th centuries, on Qing Dynasty China and late Tokugawa Japan...