Foreign policy Heungseon Daewongun

the daewongun s foreign policy rather simple, cumings describes it: no treaties, no trade, no catholics, no west, , no japan . instead maintained isolationist policy.

the isolation policy policy made isolate joseon foreign forces except china believed strongest. tried refuse russia s quest open joseon s ports them using france, france refused - causing 1866 byeong-in persecution. involved in general sherman incident well. isolation policy became more entrenched in 1868 when, german merchant ernst oppert attempted take hostage bones of daewongun s father in order force him open korea trade; , further after 1871 american attack of gwanghwado.

the isolation policy provided immediate benefits of fortifying korean patriotism protecting culture of confucianism. heungseon daewongun able protect joseon cultural imperialism , westernization , protect korea s heritage it. however, because refused engage in international relations entirely, there limited choice of market , slim opportunity industrial revolution occur. indeed, daewongun wanted avoid engagement west - have been inevitable if western countries allowed trade freely - erode government influence. joseon dynasty had strict social hierarchy: wealth of yangban nobility resting on backs of sangmin farm labourers , tenants; daewongun wanted prevent collapse of hierarchy as, despite fame fairness , support of civilization, emancipation of sangmin mean ruin of yangban, own class.

the international relations of joseon worsened daewongun adopted increasingly desperate , harsher measures in order repel westernization. daewongun made choice of protecting world knew trying shut out foreigners, @ cost of delaying development , modernization, , keep korea hermit kingdom. many koreans state had chose engage foreign countries daughter-in-law queen min advocated, japanese rule of korea have been avoided. however, others state ten years of isolation policy small part of joseon dynasty derive such statement from.