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30. Western Influence Extends Eastward Russia’s power could not expand to the West only because everyone was aware of its ambition. Everywhere people were cautious and on the alert and avoided falling into Russia’s trap, and they cooperated with one another to block Russia. Had the Eastern nations realized at an early stage what was afoot and prepared for it, [Russia] would not have become too greedy. But both Korea and China were completely unaware and did not prepare for the steadily approaching disaster. The situation became very dangerous: China became so frightened just hearing Russia’s imperious demands that it would yield [on matters affecting Korea] as if it were within China’s right to do so, with the excuse that Korea had never been a Chinese territory, hence China had nothing to lose. China’s only concern was diverting disaster away from its doorstep. Korea, on the other hand, would reason that it would make little difference to whom Korea might belong if Korea were to belong to someone [else] at all. There would then be no reason to be too upset about belonging to Russia. Besides, [Korea] could not resist even China’s power, not to mention Russia, which China itself could not oppose. It would be impossible to avoid becoming swallowed up by Russia. Should Korea become part of Russia, Japan would feel isolated and might not be able to withstand [Russian pressure] alone. Japan itself sensed this and made strenuous efforts to educate its people to understand it. It built up its military forces to strengthen itself. At the same time, it tried to awaken Korea and China to join it for mutual defense. The Western nations, too, advised the same to Japan and also urged Korea to understand [the situation]. This is because every152 where the Russian influence reached, all [nations’] common interests in commerce and evangelism were severely damaged. About this time, French Catholic priests came to Korea occasionally to preach the gospel, but our country followed the practice of executing them whenever they were caught. In 1832, a British warship arrived at the southern coast and transmitted a letter requesting trade and presented a “kyoch’aek” (a written petition), but [Korea] promptly rejected the demand and ordered [the British] to leave.38 Two French warships sailed into the Kogunsan area in 1847 but hit the shoal and, because of the ebbing tide, were damaged. More than six hundred Frenchmen landed on the island, the inhabitants of which provided relief and prepared food and clothing. As the islanders readied ships and were about to transport [the shipwrecked] to China, a British ship happened to pass nearby and took away the French.39 The government and people of Korea at this time treated the foreigners kindly, but they sent, out of concern over similar [unwelcome] visits in the future, a letter to China with an explanation to the French in the following words: The letter we received last year from the foreigners said that “your country [Korea] killed our preachers without cause. When asked for the reason, you mentioned that your law forbade foreigner’s entry. However, if a Chinese should enter your country, he would be accorded excellent protection and good treatment. Why is it that the Chinese are so well treated while our people [French] are treated unfairly ? If our people have committed murder, plotted treason, or violated other laws, we shall not complain. But these individuals were truly innocent, yet your country put them to death. This constitutes a grave damage to the government of France.” We respectfully reply to this letter. Some years ago, a foreigner was seized and imprisoned. It was not certain when he entered [Korea], but he wore Korean clothes, spoke Korean, covered his face and traveled at night, sleeping during the day. He associated with people who were guilty of treason. When he was arrested at last and questioned, he did not give his name nor nationality. We are not certain if your country is now claiming him as your national. Since he did not say to which nationality he belonged, we could not return him. Even if we had known what his nationality was, is it wrong to deal with him in accordance with our law when he secretly entered our country? Moreover, he changed his speech, name, and clothing and traveled surreptitiously in the interior obviously for some ulterior motives. How can he be compared to shipwrecked persons? Western In...

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