China’s Exercise of “Extraterritoriality Rights” and Korea’s Response during the Open Ports Period(1876~1894)

China’s Exercise of “Extraterritoriality Rights” and Korea’s Response during the Open Ports Period(1876~1894) Chung, Tae-seob & Han, Sung-min The Cho-Qing(Korea-China) relationship based on the traditional Pay Tribute System(朝貢體制) had changed to a modern nation relationship superficially by a treaty after Im-O Military Insurrection(壬午軍亂) in August 1882, according to the Cho-Qing Merchant Sea Land Trade Rules(朝淸商民水陸貿易章程, abbreviate to ‘Trade Rules’ below). The traditional policy of Qing for Chosun Korea was no intervention to the independency of domestic administration and diplomacy in spite of ruling Chosun as a belonging nation. But the conclusion of Trade Rules had changed this to the substantial policy of colonialization. Unlike the other treaties recognizing the equality with Chosun, Trade Rules was concluded based on the unequality of China and Chosun, and it was un unprecedentedly unequal treaty ever. Qing acquired an indemnification for diplomatical and economical prestiges in this Trade Rules compulsorily. Especially, the problem of consular jurisdiction brought serious negative effects. Qing’s consular jurisdiction was one-sided. Even in the case which Korean defendant was involved, the jurisdictions of the Korean government was completely disregarded and consular officers of Qing joined the trial with Korean officer. Depending on the one-sided advantages of consular jurisdictions, Chinese people acted as extraterritorial beings without any fears to be punished for their behaviors. It eventually caused a lot of troubles between Chinese and Korean people. Thus anti-China consciousness was expanded throughout the Korean society, and Chosun Koreans have developed systematical and active anti-China activities since the strike of bazar merchants.