The Active Diplomatic Role Taken by American Minister Foote During the Post-Kapsin Coup Period: December 4, 1884-January 9, 1885

THE ACTIVE DIPLOMATIC ROLE TAKEN BY AMERICAN MINISTER FOOTE DURING THE POST-KAPSIN COUP PERIOD : DECEMBER 4, 1884-JANUARY 9, 1885 --------------------by Soon C. Hong After the settlement of the Imo Military Riot of 1882, the rivalry between Japan and China for the control of Korea had become fierce. By the fall of 1884, the political situation in Korea had already become hopelessly tangled because of the struggle between the pro-Japanese progressives and the proChinese conservatives among the Korean native political leaders. In spite of American Minister Foote's friendly advice to Kim Ok-kyun (IeEEíé)), the top pro-Japanese progressive leader, to avoid the use of violence, the progressives decided to overthrow the existing conservative Korean Government by assassinating pro-Chinese leaders. The date for the bloody coup d'etat was set for December 4, 1884. This particular date was chosen due to a certain set of convenient circumstances. A banquet celebrating the opening of the first post office in Seoul was to be held that evening, and a number of dignitaries, including all the foreign diplomats as well as key conservative Korean leaders whom the progressives planned to assassinate , were expected to attend.1 1. Shin, K., Kmdae Chosön Oegyosa (f Hfè M ÄftÄ^f^), P269 . Also Keijo-Fu Hen, Keijo-Fu Shi CPMmWi ???&.), vol. 1, pp. 528-529. 85 86/Hong The evening came. Foreign and Korean dignitaries arrived at the banquet. Among the progressives who attended the celebration were Kim Ok-kyun, Pak Yông-hyo (^gjcf^), and Hong Yông-sik (jí^ífi). The conservative opposition leaders, Min Yöng-ik (MmM) and Kim Hongjip (&jL,M)t accompanied by their fellow generals, also attended the banquet as expected . The foreigners at the dinner were Japanese Legation Secretary Shimamura (Htí), pro-Chinese Superintendent of Customs Von Moellendorff , British Consul-General Aston, Chinese Commissioner Chen She-tang (KfIf^), and American Minister Foote.2 From the beginning ofthe banquet the atmosphere was very tense, and the restless attitude of Kim Ok-kyun aroused Min Yông-ik's suspicion.3 As the dinner drew to a close, the guests were startled by the cry "fire!" They withdrew from the dinner table and some of them went out doors.. When Min Yöng-ik stepped out of the room, a man dressed in Japanese clothes leaped out of the shadows of the gateway and slashed him with a heavy sword. Min had played directly into the hands of the enemy. He was severely wounded in the head and in other parts of the body and fell heavily to the ground as one dead. Von Moellendorff, who was not far from the scene, lifted the wounded man and carried him back indoors. In the midst of the confusion all the Korean guests fled over the back wall instead of leaving by the gate. After having administered first aid to Min Yöng-ik, American Minister Foote sent for Dr. Horace Allen, an American physician. As soon as Dr. Allen arrived at Moellendorff's residence where the patient had been moved, the American physician pushed aside the native doctors and asked the Japanese physician to come in to help him. This made a curious scene : two practitioners of Western medicine intent on saving a major foe of Western institutions; a missionary doctor working on an anti-Christian politician; a Japanese physician laboring over an anti-Japanese Korean; and this was occurring in Moellendorff's residence, the center of opposition to both 2.United States National Archives (FM 134 series), Department of State, Despatches from the United States Ministers to Korea (hereafter cited as State Department, Korea Dispatches), Minister Foote to Secretary of State Frelinghuysen , December 17, 1884. 3.Tahobashi, K., Kindai Nissen Kankei no Kenkyu (EH^H ^ H iEft ET mM%