조선후기 한일외교체제와 대마도의 역할

Abstract

Japanese scholars understand that the Joseon government and Tsushima domain were the main sites of diplomatic relations between Joseon and Japan in the late Joseon period. This paper offers a different idea by suggesting that Tsushima domain performed diplomatic operations under the command or the connivance of the Edo Bakufu. One should remember that the peace negotiations between Joseon and Japan did not begin on a one-to-one basis during the process of restoring diplomatic ties after the Imjin Waeran (the Japanese invasion of Joseon in 1592). The reopening of diplomatic relations between two countries was closely related to the peace negotiations between Japan and Ming China. Thus, it was unavoidable that the main Japanese participant in diplomatic negotiations between Joseon and Japan was Tsushima, not the Japanese government, because of the unstable domestic and international political conditions of both central governments. The Giyu Agreement of 1609 was the diplomatic basis of Joseon and Japan relations. Japanese scholars’ evaluation of the Giyu Agreement displays the fatal flaw of connecting Joseon and Tsushima with no consideration of the “pre-modern” situation because their evaluation comes from misinterpreting promises as an agreement. According to international law, promises should not be understood as an agreement. Meanwhile, Joseon strengthened diplomatic policies toward Japan based on the Giyu Agreement. Tsushima, which was the mediator between the two countries,forged kings’ documents for the purpose of successful diplomatic negotiations. Although the forgeries were revealed, neither Joseon nor Japan punished the governor of Tsushima. Instead, the Japanese government introduced into Tsushima the Iteian monk rotation system for managing diplomatic documents directly. From that point, Tsushima concentrated on friendly trade with Joseon, which was done by sending various chawae , or temporary goodwill envoys. The Joseon government controlled the activities of these envoys by restricting their activities to nearby Japanese offices and limiting their diplomatic delegations. Through spatial and personal control, the Joseon government was able to stop people from smuggling and meeting without permission. More detailed regulations on the operation of Japanese offices and the exchange of goods were established, and the new diplomatic line of Munuihaeng -Byeolchawae was introduced. It is definitely false to evaluate the late Joseon period only based upon the thirty years around the resumption of diplomatic relations between Joseon and Japan. It is necessary for historians in Japan to shed their exclusive, patriotic viewpoint. They should admit that Japan’s diplomatic negotiations with the Joseon government were conducted while the Edo Bakufu was still being established. Further, the features of seongsingyorin (true foreign relationships) should be studied based upon the Edo Bakufu’s dominance of foreign diplomacy toward the Joseon government from 1635.