“Chosŏn-Italia suho t’ongsang choyak (1884) ŭi ch’egyŏl mit pijun – Chosŏn ŭi yurŏp kongsa p’agyŏn ŭi kyegi rosŏ”[Process and Meanings of Korean-Italian Treaty (1884): As a Chance to Dispatch Korean Envoys to Europe].

This paper discusses the contents and meaning of the treaty between Chosŏn and the Kingdom of Italy (“Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between Italy and Corea” hereafter “Korean-Italian Treaty”), which was concluded in June 1884 (ratified on July 24, 1886). After the signing of the Chosŏn-Japanese Treaty of Amity and Agreement in 1876, the recommendations of Lee Hung-chang of the Qing Dynasty and the Chosŏn’s own efforts to establish diplomatic relations coincided with Chosŏn actively trying to be incorporated into the treaty system with the United States and Europe. The Korean-American Treaty (May 22, 1882, ratified on May 19, 1883) and Korean- British and Korean-German Treaty right after are well known. However, there were some set back of this policy due to the Military Rebellion in July 1882, the Qing’s subsequent intervention, and Japan’s demands for compensation of their damages. In particular, the import tariff of 10-30% of the ad valorem price imposed in the Korea- U.S.Treaty was lowered to 5-20% in the Korean-British and Korean German Treaty. While the Korean-Russian Treaty (1884) and Korean French Treaty (1886) are all well studied, the Korean-Italian Treaty signed in June 1884 is little known. From the Chosŏn government’s perspective, the Korean-Italian Treaty had points in which it sought to revise treaties, concluded unfavorably with Japan, Qing, Britain, and Germany, at least following the Korean-American Treaty. First of all, although there was consular jurisdiction similar to the Korea-U.S. Treaty, there is a provision for the abolition of extraterritoriality when it is recognized that the level of law in Korea is consistent with the laws and trial procedures of the United States. However, it was not successful in raising the tariffs under the trade treaty to the level of the Korea-U.S. Treaty. The export tariff under the Korea-U.S. Treaty was 10% ad varorem for general goods to 30% for luxury goods, and the export tax was 5%. However, under the Korean-Italian treaty, import tariffs were generally lowered to the 5-20% and export taxes were 5%. It was expected that Italy has focal point in trade with East Asia, not political issues. This means that, in terms of trade, at least it was not successful to bring back the level of Korean-American Treaty. Meanwhile, after July 1886, when the instruments of ratification of the Korean-Italian Treaty were exchanged, the Chosŏn government in particular attempted to dispatch plenipotentiaries to the five European countries that had completed ratification of the treaty up to that time, including Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Russia in 1887. Italian Legation was installed in Seoul only in 1902. At that time the Empire of Korea showed interest in neutralization of Korean peninsular or wartime neutrality. In that respect, there are some interesting points to consider between the two countries back then in the late 19th and early 20th century.