The Banes to the Society of Korea - Essay Example

The Banes to the Society of Korea The Antecedents Korea, just like most Asian countries, was plagued with the fangs of colonialist and imperialist powers either for political or economic motives or both. These were almost all throughout the nation’s history among the remarkably evident of which was during the period spanning in the end term of the nineteenth century until the dawning of the twenty first. There were the pressures for commercial relations coming from Britain, Russia and Europe. At one point, the Koreans got so seriously offended by the intrusion of a Prussian trade campaign in 1866 that they burned the commissioned ship. When the Catholics were massacred by Taewon-gun, one of Korea’s prominent leaders, the incident gave France a good excuse to put up aggression against Korea whose forces, however, resisted the French invaders. The latter pulled out in failure in October of 1866. Japan started its plans to have control over Korea in 1868 and was impliedly encouraged by the Americans and, in 1871, the United States government gave orders for its Asian naval war chests to occupy the island of Kanghwado in an attempt to compel Korea to open its ports. Despite their might, the American soldiers did not succeed in gaining entry and withdrew from Korean territory. Japan finally got control of Kanghwado with full combat equipment on January 16, 1876. Under intimidation and vitiated consent, the Koreans were coerced to enter into a very one-sided treaty consisting of twelve articles all advantageous to the Japanese while onerous against the islanders. The pact gave what appeared to be a legal basis for Japan to win some more concessions in its favor. Gradually, Japan established further prominence and influence in Korea in 1881 when its Wonsan and Inch’on harbors were opened. As Japanese presence and supremacy became apparently burdensome, the Korean people started to differ in their inclinations. Some were against the corrupt foreign intervention while others were for reforms in the domestic landscape. Divergent Thoughts Koreans who were advocates of the theories and principles of Confucius despised the entry of foreigners including European capitalists. These idealists considered the intrusions disturbing and destructive. In the process, the Confucian creed followers initiated alliance with other ethics with whom they can work toward restoring Korean preeminence. At this point, there were already deprivations in spiritual, political and financial aspects. As a matter of fact, many local schools with Taewon-gun orientations were closed. The characteristics of this crusade were particularly pushed to deter and stop European traders from encroaching the local scene. One of the vehement proponents, Yi Hang-no crusaded to reform and stabilize the country politically and to fortify the capabilities and strengths of its defense. He counseled that Korea could keep foreign capitalism out and, along that struggle, avoid and prevent European influence. In the same vein, most of the Confucian leaders and followers expressed dislike over Chinese and Japanese policies. On the other hand, another movement with a different approach was being hatched presumably to counter the Confucian advocates. In the undertaking, a goodwill mission was sent to Japan to learn new notions and institutions introduced from Europe. A literature was spread advising Koreans to adopt the innovations for the sake of the economy and the betterment of the national military supposedly in cooperation with China, Japan and the United States of America as balancing factors against Russia which was then expanding to the south. Further study groups were initiated by the conniving government to learn more institutions in Japan highlighting the fields of administration, military, education, industry and technology. The program also allowed a visit to China regarding the manufacture and handling of Western armaments. Quick Reaction The Confucian clique immediately became aware of the strategy of those embracing foreign introductions. The conservative scholars then moved to oppose foreign capitalism spreading their propositions to the students in various provinces. In the meantime, their adversaries have penetrated within the government itself and proliferated the idea of accepting European or Western not only to the lower and middles class echelons but to the entire society. The Divide Owing to the interference coming from the outside, it was clearly manifest that the Koreans had become divided and their society started to disintegrate and disunite. Within that kind of framework, every member of the society had to choose where to lean. Naturally, the individual resolve would depend on what circumstances prevailed in the person concerned. For instance, in cohorts with the Japanese connection, soldiers trained in special units under Japanese training methodology were paid more and received better benefits compared to what the ordinary Korean soldiers were getting. For sure, the former would tend to refuse the pro-Confucian stance. They would instead opt to embrace the pro-Japanese, pro-Chinese and pro-West concepts and precepts that would gear them to what were perceived to be the practical way to attain economic development even if national identity were to be somewhat sacrificed. The afore-mentioned explanations and observations were the very backdrops on which the editors of The Independent opined in the issue of the newspaper on April 7, 1896. The editorial pundits were conveying to the readers that the Korean society had ceased to be whole in union as one social peninsula. The local people had become segregated among themselves between those who were ready to acknowledge the innovative ideas of the encroaching foreigners for purposes of practicality and those who faithfully adhered to protect the national identity with their own version of reforms according to the idealism and teachings of Confucius and refused to welcome alien intervention in local affairs. The Drifting Away of Old Social Structures The citizens had become varied in their approach and disposition in life and survival. What used to be the combined forces of the single Korean society were breaking up fast and each one sought to be aligned with what he believed was the better option in order to exist. Social classes were already segmented between those who found affinity with foreign invaders and those who continued to be steadfastly aligned with original national values. The radical and liberal opinion writers settled in the sound and valid belief that the old social structures are drifting away particularly in the case of those who sided with the intruding capitalists who were taking advantage of the sorry economic plight of Korea. To aggravate matters, the native throngs were torn between sticking out with their own national patrimony and the tug of war among those from the outside. Upon the urging of China, Korea entered into several treaties with Europe and the United States concerning commerce. Revised accords were also had with Germany, France and Great Britain. All these pacts were lopsided against the Koreans. In another side, Russia was trying to wage its own advancements which were timely checked by British occupants as illustrated when the latter seized the island of Komundo. In a nutshell, the Koreans were caught in confusion owing to the imbroglio with competing imperialist colonizers. The editors presented the prospect that in time Korea would be washed out of its own inherent identity and national dignity. In one segment of its epoch, Korea was literally coerced to import from Japan commodities sourced from Europe, Britain and the United States, only to be gradually replaced by Japanese goods of poor quality as the selfish invaders brought back the Western wares for their own consumption. In another significant event, there was failure in crops in two Korean provinces. Japan claimed that its traders suffered great losses and asked to be indemnified in staggering amounts. The peasants revolted and the resistance movement spread to the whole nation. The Struggle for Freedom As Japan continued to wield its powers aggressively in Korea, the efforts had become very intensified. Military instructors came from the pool of Japanese officers. The leading national figure then, Queen Min, was killed by the Japanese when they learned that she was secretly corresponding with China and Russia. This prompted a new and invigorated movement against Japan while Russia slowly penetrated Korea. Several leaders sought refuge in other territories including King Kojong, the monarch head at the time, who escaped to Russia. In 1884, So Chae-p’il, after his asylum and medical studies in the United States, returned to Korea and led anew causes for modern reforms. He established bilingual The Independent newspaper which featured local and foreign news. It presented the policies and plans of all sides without bias. At about the same time, The Independence Club was founded. These were the moments of significant reckoning when the Korean people started picking up the pieces again in order to re-shape their destiny by re-arranging the social forces via their own free and voluntary choice of an autonomous state and public government. Together with the crusades, the fight for civil rights was renewed. New Hopes The Independence Club did not hesitate to bring out honest assessments and opinions to the government concerning matters of public interest and welfare. So Chae-p’il incessantly objected to the putting up of a Korean-Russian bank stressing out in a rally that it was ridiculous to entrust financial and military control to an outside authority. The association also registered objections to government actions where warranted. It demanded for the dismissal of unscrupulous public officials guilty of irregular and fraudulent indiscretions and conducted inquiries anent government awarding of rights in lumber, mining and the railway constructing industries. Resultant of these heightened radical steps, many leaders of the group were jailed. While The Independence did not last long, it instilled great courage in the hearts of the people of Korea to further the cause of freedom and independence in their own country. This is the new social restructuring or crystallization that the writers, editors and opinion-makers of The Independent vigorously wanted to inculcate into the minds of the Korean citizens. Resultantly, the people strengthened their voice over the flight of King Kojong to an outside territory. The movements and the power of public opinion triumphed with the king’s retrieval from Russia. He was later installed in Kyong-un-gung in February of 1897 and declared to the world his Great Empire. The yearning for freedom is as old as man. The Korean people succeeded in regaining it. One American icon passionately fought for it, saying “Give me liberty or give me death”. Reference and sole source: Response to Capitalist Encroachment. CHALLENGES OF MODERNIZATION. ASIANINFO.ORG. “YOUR COMPLETE RESOURCE ON ASIA”. [internet] Accessed October 7, 2009. Available at: http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/history/challenges_of_modernization.htm (With information provided by the Korean Embassy.) Read More