동아시아 근대 외국인 거류제도의 계보와 그 기원 －중국 ‘조계’ 모델의 탄생을 중심으로－

Abstract

This article aims to explore the historical lineage of foreign residency systems in East Asia, transcending national boundaries and tracing their origins back to China, with a particular focus on the emergence of the “foreign settlement(租界)” model. In the pre-modern era, East Asian countries typically confined foreign trade activities to specific designated areas. Examples include Dejima in Nagasaki, Japan; Guangdongshangguan in Guangzhou, China; and Choryangwaegwan in Busan, South Korea. However, as the transition to modern treaty systems unfolded, these existing foreign residency systems underwent significant transformations. British influence played a crucial role in amalgamating these systems into a cohesive lineage. While the United States played a leading role in Japan's opening, it was Britain that not only facilitated access to China, establishing the “foreign settlement” paradigm, but also introduced a new residency model in Japan. Similarly, although Japan spearheaded Korea's opening, Britain transplanted the Japanese residency model to Korea, setting the standard for “foreign settlements.” Thus, the genealogy of East Asian foreign residency systems can be traced through the lens of British diplomacy in the region. The “foreign settlement” model did not emerge simultaneously with the signing of modern treaties. Due to the absence of a pre-existing urban planning framework, a treaty foundation for its definition had to be established first. It was consistently delineated in relation to the area outside the “foreign settlement,” known as the “inland.” The regime formed by these treaty spaces occasionally aimed to extend outward to the “vassal states” with entirely distinct intentions. Meanwhile, the relationship between each treaty space was ultimately crystallized in concrete examples of treaty ports such as Guangzhou and Shanghai. The birth of the “foreign settlement” model can be seen as the culmination of this intricate process. However, the possibilities left in the wake of this process would subsequently lead to various iterations in another phase, disseminating not only within China but also reaching Japan and Korea.