19세기중엽 조선과 싸얌(Siam)의 대외개방정책과 그 영향

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare modernization of Chosun(1392-1910) and Siam(1782- )to understand the differences of foreign policies of the two countries in facing the threats from the Western countries. In particular, this study seeks to answer the question, “Despite the similar structural conditions in which Chosun and Siam were situated, how could Siam maintain its political independence, while Chosun became colonized by Japan?” To answer this question, this study analytically compares the conditions under which the two countries opened the door to the Western countries and Japan, and how the two countries coped with coercive relations with the invasions of the Western countries and Japan. By examining these conditions, this study aims to offer implications for how different diplomatic policies result in different consequences for the sovereignty of Chosun and Siam. The main findings are as follows: As the power relation has shifted in East Asia, from China to other Western nations and Japan, Chosun in the mid-19th century was experiencing the rapidly changing world order. Similarly, Siam also was facing the national crisis, as the Western countries like England and France invaded this region. England and France competed on the South East Asia region for both political and economic resources. The purpose of this research is to examine the diplomatic policies of Chosun and Siam in the mid-19th century to analytically compare the ways in which Chosun and Siam dealt with the invasion of Western nations, which result in different consequences on sovereignty in each country. The treaty of Friendship and Commerce between Siam and Great Britain (the Bowring Treaty), which was made between Sir John Bowring and King Mongkut, was an unequal treaty that granted economic privileges and extraterritoriality to Great Britain. After this treaty was made, Siam lost its legal and economic sovereignty, but flexible diplomatic policies of King Mongkut made it possible to maintain its political independence of Siam from the Western nations. Conversely, Chosun resisted opening the door until it was forced by military force of Japan and the Western nations. Because of a lack of understanding in the state of international relations, Chosun was under-prepared for the invasion of these countries and failed to strategically use the competing relations among western nations and Japan like Siam did. Even though King Kojong had an opportunity to modernize Chosun, he continued to kept the door closed and relied on a diplomatic policy that selectively depends on one country, which in turn resulted in losing its sovereignty. Although Chosun and Thailand were both facing the crisis of losing its sovereignty under the condition of threatening international environment, Thailand could avoid its colonization by using practical and flexible diplomatic policies, while Chosun ended up losing its sovereign, which is partly due to its lack of leadership and ability to understand international relations realistically and make strategic policies.