K O R E A N HERITAGE KOREAN HERITAGE Reclaim VOL 42 AUTUMN 2018 AUTUMN 2018 Vol.42 AUTUMN Cultural Heritage Administration Cultural Rediscovering Korea’s Early-modern History ISSN 2005-0151 www.koreanheritage.kr Korean Legation Government Publications Registration Number : 11-1550000-000639-08 Quarterly Magazine of the Cultural Heritage Administration KOREAN HERITAGE AUTUMN 2018 Vol.42 ON THE COVERS The Korean legation building in Washington, D.C. was stripped from Korean national ownership in 1910 when Japan forcefully annexed the country. After this traumatic loss, the building quickly emerged among the people of the Korean diaspora in the United States as a symbol of a sovereignty that should be regained by any means. They expressed their strong desire for independence by adding a large Korean national flag to a Korean legation postcard they produced during the Japanese colonial era (shown on the front cover). On May 22, 2018 the national flag was in reality hoisted from the roof of the newly restored Korean legation building (back cover). It was the fulfillment of a dream for the many Koreans who had KOREAN HERITAGE is also available on the website yearned for the reinstatement of this symbol of national autonomy, as well as for Emperor Gojong (www.koreanheritage.kr) and smart devices. You can also download and the members of his court who had attempted to forge a new future for the country through the its PDF version and subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest introduction of advanced Western culture. news on the website. FEATURED ISSUE Cultural Heritage Administration, 2018 Rediscovering Korea’s Early-modern History This publication is copyrighted. No part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Reclaim Copyright © Cultural Heritage Administration FEATURED LOCAL HERITAGE GUIDE SPECIAL ISSUE · 04 Jeong-dong, a Newly Rediscovered Turbulent Times: Korea’s Early Modern Center of Early-modern Korea · 32 History The memory-scape of the Jeong-dong neighborhood and This autumn issue of Korean Heritage celebrates the recent restoration Deoksugung Palace is changing as new historical facts and of the former Korean legation building in Washington, D.C. A timeline of interpretations emerge early-modern Korea is briefly presented in this section. TRADITIONAL KOREAN AESTHETICS · 08 HERITAGE THROUGH PHOTOS Gojong, a Misfortunate Monarch Kim Jun-geun, a Late-Joseon Painter A series of artifacts from the early-modern period reflects the tireless efforts of Gojong in his struggle for national independence with an International Clientele · 40 A late-Joseon artist little-known at home became a pioneer for the introduction of traditional Korea lifestyles into the West A COMPARATIVE VIEW · 16 The Legation Buildings in Seoul and HERITAGE ISSUES TODAY Washington, D.C Korean Heritage for the Global Parallels are drawn between the structures in Seoul and Washington, Community · 46 D.C. that respectively housed the late-19th century legations of the “Sansa: Buddhist Mountain Monasteries of Korea” achieves United States and Korea UNESCO World Heritage status INTERVIEW · 24 The Old Korean Legation Recovers Its Korean Identity CULTURAL HERITAGE ADMINISTRATION HEADLINES · 52 Gang Im-san describes the years-long process of reclaiming the Lifelike Views of Korean Heritage on Google Korean legation building in Washington, D.C., its restoration, and its social impact as a museum Dinosaur Traces Excavated Near Prehistoric Rock Carvings KOREAN Cultural Heritage Administration Date Of Publication Sep 5, 2018 · Published by Cultural Heritage Administration Republic of Korea · Publication Management Director of International Cooperation Division · Content Coordination Moon Sun- HERITAGE 189 Cheongsa-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea Tel 82-42-481-4737 Fax 82-42-481-4759 Contact [email protected] kyong, Park Ji-young · Translation Park Jung-eun · Copy Editing Bill Sharp · Coordination by ch121 Quarterly Magazine of the Cultural Heritage Administration Website www.koreanheritage.kr Printed by Sejin Publishing, Printing SPECIAL ISSUE Korea’s Early Modern History Text by Kwon Da-in, editor Infographic design by Kim Jung-won, designer Lasting the 518 years from 1392 to 1910 and ruled by twenty-seven successive monarchs, the Joseon Dynasty spanned a history that was peaceful at some times but perilous at others. The greatest turmoil was experienced in the final years of the dynasty, corresponding to the reign of Gojong (r. 1863–1907). Caught in the midst of a fierce rivalry among imperialist powers seeking influence over the Korean Peninsula, Gojong strove to rescue the country from the violent currents of history. Exchanges between the West and East were burgeoning at the time, and Joseon took part as well while it underwent a range of novel changes. Here, the early-modern history of the country is briefly summarized. Major Events 1863 Ascension of Gojong as the 26th king of Joseon 1876 Signing of the Treaty of Ganghwa Japan forces Korea to sign a commercial treaty, the Treaty of Ganghwa, named after the island where it was signed. It was an unequal treaty that heavily favored Japanese interests. 1880 1882 Signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Joseon and the United States SPECIAL ISSUE · 04 / 05 SPECIAL ISSUE 1880 1890 1883 1898 Establishment of 1899 Establishment of the the American legation Launch of the first streetcar service in Korea, Hanseong Electric Company, 1885 in Korea running from Heunginjimun (the east gate in the the first electrical power Establishment of Gwanghyewon, wall around the Joseon capital) to the main gate company in Korea the first modern KEPCO Electricity Museum Dispatch of of Gyeonghuigung Palace ⓒ medical center in Korea a Korean mission Museum University Korea ⓒ to the United States Launch of the first railway service in Korea, Establishment of With the formation of a bilateral agreement running from Seoul to Incheon the Pai Chai Academy, in the previous year, the United States established a modern secondary a diplomatic presence in Korea and Korea sent 1900 1900 education institute an official delegation, called the Bobingsa, 1902 Opening of the Korean Gallery to the United States. Launch of the first private at the Exposition Universelle Memorial Museum Appenzeller/Noble Appenzeller/Noble telephone in Korea of 1900 ⓒ Establishment of a mint known as Jeonhwanguk Korea participates in the Exposition Universelle of 1900 1886 Establishment of the Wonsan Academy, 1904 in Paris and presents Korean Establishment of Yukyeong Gongwon, the first modern private educational institute in Korea Japan forces Korea to sign a protocol containing the first modern public educational institute in Korea culture to an international provisions that could advantage Japan audience. in the ongoing Russo-Japanese War Museum of Korea National Palace ⓒ 1887 Installation of electric lights 1888 1905 at the Geoncheonggung Residence Establishment of the Korean legation Signing of the Protectorate Treaty in Gyeongbokgung Palace, a first in Korea in the United States Japan compels Korea to sign a protectorate treaty 1907 Park Jeong-yang, the first Korean minister plenipotentiary and robs it of the right to conduct diplomacy. Dispatch of a secret mission to the United States, visits the White House to the Second Hague Peace Conference 1889 to deliver Gojong’s letter to the U.S. president. Relocation The Korean legation is installed at Fisher House 1910 Dethronement of Gojong of the Korean legation near the White House. Signing of the Japan-Korean Annexation Treaty The Korean legation is moved to a building Sale of the Korean legation building on Logan Circle that has in the United States been recently restored. 1945 After annexing Korea, Japan extorted Independence 1890 the Korean legation building in the United States With Japan’s surrender at the end the Second World War, 1894 from Korea for a mere five dollars Korea reclaims its independence. Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Heritage Cultural Korean Overseas Foundation ⓒ Execution of the Gabo Reform and then immediately sold it to an American buyer The Gabo Reform, taking place over nineteen months, for ten dollars. encompassed a wide range of measures for addressing deep-seated social injustices and accelerating the modernization process, such as the abolishment 2000 of the social class system and government examinations, 2012 1896 rescinding the ban on the remarriage of widowers, Repurchase 2018 Launch of The Independent the introduction of the solar calendar, of the Korean legation Public opening of the restored (Dongnip Sinmun), the first and a decree for men to cut off their topknots. building in the United Korean legation building private newspaper in Korea States After the purchase, the The Korean government, Korean government 1897 with enthusiastic civic carries out a Inauguration of the Korean Empire support home and abroad, restoration project Gojong changes the official name of the country to the finalizes the purchase on the building. The Korean Empire in an attempt to upgrade its standing on the of the Korean legation restored Korean Heritage Foundation international stage and protect its sovereignty. Accordingly, Cultural Korean Overseas building in Washington, D.C. legation building is ⓒ National Palace Museum of Korea National Palace ⓒ the name of the Korean legation in the United States was reopened to the public Heritage Foundation switched to the Korean Empire Legation. in May of this year. Cultural Korean Overseas ⓒ SPECIAL ISSUE · 06 / 07 TRADITIONAL KOREAN AESTHETICS Gojong, a Misfortunate Monarch Text by Kim Jae-eun, Deoksugung Management Office In the context of the lengthy history of Korea, the early-modern period of about thirty years from the opening of ports in 1876 to the forceful annexation by Japan in 1910 represents just a split-second. However, this brief period holds disproportionate significance since it shifted the historical course of the country toward modernization. This did not mean simply replacing oil lamps with electric lights or traditional costumes with Western suits: it was a make-or-break effort in a desperate pursuit of national independence in the face of a rapidly shifting international order.