근대 정동의 공간 변화와 고종

Abstract

Jungdong area in Seoul is well known as the place where a lot of foreign legations and consulates were located and the settlement for westerners during the Open-Ports Period. That is largely because Jungdong, west part of Seoul during the Open-Ports Period, was the first place where foreign people who came to Joseon settled down and established the first diplomatic offices. Moreover, modern educational institutions such as Paichai Hakdang and Ewha Hakdang and early protestant churches such as Saemoonan Church and Jungdong First Methodist Church were built in Jungdong. Jungdong area had been functioning as a center for political and diplomatic activities of foreigners with foreign legations, hospitals, schools and churches in the 1880s and as a channel for introducing western civilization. After that, Jungdong area became to be noticed by many people as it had been closely related to the politics of Joseon. After the King Gojong's flight to the Russian Legation in 1896,Gojong did not return to Gyeongbokgung Palace but chose Gyeongungung Palace at Jungdong instead as a new place to live in. As a result, Jungdong area grew into a new political center for Korea. The first reason why King Gojong chose Jungdong was that Gojong wanted to be free from Japanese influence and to establish an independent state by leaving Gyeongbokgung Palace. The second reason was that Gojong's high interest in western civilization was consistent with his new political idea, because western civilization particularly thrived around Jungdong area after its introduction to Korea. The reform of Korea headed by Gojong was conducted in Jungdong area which was the symbolic place of Westerners. It clearly shows that Gojong had a strong will to embrace western civilization for the policy of national wealth and military strength. It means Jungdong area was changed into the political center of Gojong and Korea after Gojong moved to Gyeongungung Palace in 1897. Therefore, Jungdong was visually changed as a result of issuing a pass, limiting the construction of house and building, and enlarging Gyeongungung Palace. With these efforts, Gyeongungung Palace in Jungdong which was located at the western part of the city was transformed into the center of the capital. In addition, the area was developed into the political center as government offices were built such as Gungnaebu, Department of Royal Household, Weonsubu, the Marshal Headquarters or Supreme Military Council, the northwest Railway Bureau, military academy, all sorts of military establishments, the office of law revision or amendment, and the Mint Bureau. After that, as modern facilities such as electric trains and theaters were introduced and commerce was developed in Jungdong area, it was grown into the core part of the capital city of Korea. Also, as the city was reorganized around Gyeongungung Palace, Jungdong area became a place where new attempts and challenges of the Westernization occurred. Gojong's move to Jungdong and urban renewal project were very meaningful in that they were not affected by the conventional Confucian space concept of Zhouli(周禮) which Joseon conformed to. King Gojong carried out his reform plan in accordance with the idea of Kooponsincham, 'base on the Old and mix the New(舊本新參).' His idea was reflected in Jungdong area, and thus Jungdong area, which had been a place for westerners, was transformed into a place of reform of Korea headed by King Gojong. However, after Japan defeated Russia in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, Joseon was deprived of its sovereignty and foreign legations were withdrawn from Korea. As a result, Jungdong area rapidly declined. Therefore, the number of foreign residents decreased,government offices for reform lost their power, and Sunjong, who was newly ascended to the throne, moved to Changdeokgung Palace. Even though Gojong kept trying to protect sovereignty of Korea and raise the national status, there was a limit to his reform. That is because it was possible only when western powers help Korea. And the fact that Gojong was too dependent on western powers can be noticed in Jungdong area. At that time, England and the United States fought against Russia and France. Considering the international situation of the time, Gojong tried to keep western powers in check by locating legations of England, US, Russia, and France near Gyeongungung Palace. There have not been many studies on Jungdong area, which was the settlement of westerners and the center of Korea's reform, due to its rapid decline. However, Jungdong area has a significant meaning even though King Gojong failed to stay independent when many western powers kept Korea in check. That is because Jungdong area shows the aspect of reform of Korea.