1899년 韓ㆍ淸通商條約 締結과 大韓帝國

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

In this article, the events that led to the conclusion of the Korea-Qing Commercial Treaty in 1899 and the issues discussed during the negotiations are examined as well as the significance of this treaty. A document entitled Han-Cheong euiyak gongdok 韓淸議約公牘 (Public Document: Records of the Discussion Process regarding Treaty Negotiations between Korea and Qing) was recently found in the Gyujanggak Archives of the Seoul National University. As it contained full records of the entire process of negotiations and the subsequent conclusion of the treaty, it was thoroughly examined during the research for this paper. Also, the articles published in the Dongnip sinmun (Independence News) and other newspapers along with other memorials presented to the King proved immensely helpful in determining that the Daehan Empire widely consulted governmental officials, intellectuals, and also influential merchants in its preparation for the treaty negotiations and that the Daehan Empire perceived the Gando region as an object of "colonization."
The Korea-Qing Commercial treaty was brought out of the needs of both countries. Korea, without any protection through a treaty or convention, had been pursuing a truly independent status since the end of the Qing-Japan war and seeking a treaty which would make such status possible. On the other hand, Qing was in need of protecting four-thousand Qing merchants living in Korea. Before the treaty was signed, the Korean government originally intended to abolish the Qing consulate's jurisdiction over her nationals in judicial matters, but during the negotiations an agreement was reached to grant jurisdiction over such matters to the consulates of both countries. The export of Korean red jinseng by Qing merchants, the issue of significant interest for Qing, was denied, and the ciculation of Qing silver coins in Korea, proposed by Qing, was dropped from the final draft. The determining of the borderline between the two countries, initially proposed by Korea, was met with an objection from Qing and deferred to the Inland Commercial Treaty negotiations.
The biggest issue discussed for the treaty was the so-called "abolition of Chinese taverns in Hanseong" (韓城撤棧). Although the Korean government was deeply interested in the matter, it was ultimately not included in the treaty. It was an issue which not only involved Korea and Qing, but also other Western countries. This indicates that the Korean government obviously felt the pressure from foreign powers and was faced with needs for western-style reforms. After concluding the Korea-Qing Treaty, the Daehan Empire declared the Daehanguk gukje 大韓國國制 (The Constitution of the Daehan Empire). While claiming for a territorial right to the Gando region, the government of the Daehan Empire dispatched the Gando Region overseers to the region in order to protect and levy taxes upon the Gando population. Thus the empire established itself.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Ⅰ. 머리말
• Ⅱ. 조선의 조약체결 시도와 전근대질서의 餘塵
• Ⅲ. 反淸여론의 확산과 조약안 반영
• Ⅳ. 조약협상과 쟁점
• Ⅴ. 조약체결에 대한 반응과 대한제국의 '식민' 개척
• Ⅵ. 맺음말 - 한청통상조약 체결의 의의
• 〈Abstract〉