The Struggles of Joseon Diplomats Visiting the U.S. 140 Years Ago

National Palace Museum Special Exhibition 'Yi Yak Wearing a Gat Went to the United States as a Diplomat'
Highlighting Diplomatic Activities Centered on 'Records of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission' and 'U.S. Correspondence'

An exhibition highlighting the struggles of former diplomats through Korea-US diplomatic records has been prepared. The National Palace Museum held a special exhibition titled "Gat Sseugo Miguk(米國)e Gongsa(公使) Gatdeun Iyaki" on the 14th to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Korea-US diplomatic relations. It introduces the early diplomatic activities of Minister Park Jeong-yang (1841?1905) and his delegation at the Korean Legation in the United States through documents such as the "Record of Correspondence of the US Minister (美國公私往復隨錄)" and "Letters from the US (美國書簡)," which were registered as national cultural heritage in May.

The "Record of Correspondence of the US Minister" is a manual for diplomatic staff. It contains draft agreements proposed by New York jurist Dallington and others in 1888, who established the Joseon Machinery Company and suggested installing railroads, pumps, and gas lighting. It also includes diplomatic documents delivered by President Chester Arthur of the United States to Emperor Gojong when dispatching Lucius Foote as the first minister to Korea in 1883, correspondence exchanged between Park Jeong-yang and US government officials, documents related to projects promoted by Joseon through the Korean Legation in the US, and documents concerning the German and Japanese legations.

"Letters from the US" consists of thirty-eight letters written by Lee Sang-jae (1850?1927), who was appointed secretary of the Korean Legation in August 1887 until January 1889. Most letters concern household matters or provide interesting insights into the operation of the legation. A representative example of his difficulties is the statement, "Since coming here, I have not understood or heard anything because neither the language nor the script is comprehensible."

The National Palace Museum arranges thirty-five artifacts, including these two records, along with structures and paintings throughout the exhibition space to give visitors the feeling of visiting the Korean Legation in the United States. A comic video produced in an episodic format also helps visitors understand the content easily and quickly. The Korean Legation in the US was established after Joseon signed the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce, and Navigation with the United States in 1882. It served as the base for diplomatic activities for about sixteen years.

The exhibition is divided into three sections. Part 1, "Efforts Toward Independent Diplomacy, Taking the First Step," highlights how Park Jeong-yang and his staff, avoiding interference from Qing China, arrived in Washington D.C. in January 1888, opened a permanent legation, and attempted to conduct independent diplomatic activities. Notable exhibits include a "Photograph of the First Korean Minister to the US Park Jeong-yang and His Delegation," "Hwacha Bunbyeoldo (火車分別圖)" painted by Kang Jin-hee, a staff member and calligrapher who depicted American landscapes, and "Seungil Bansongdo (昇日蟠松圖)," painted to commemorate the birthdays of Emperor Gojong and Emperor Sunjong. The space is designed based on the interior of the legation’s main office (workroom) and reception room.

Part 2, "Engaging in Full-Scale Diplomatic Activities," presents how Park Jeong-yang was recalled to Joseon under pressure from Qing China and how the second legation was established in February 1889 to carry out full diplomatic activities, as documented by local media records. It also introduces the "Ujeon Seonrodo Bon (郵電線路圖本)," a map showing the communication facilities during the Korean Empire period, and palaces equipped with electric lighting.

Part 3, "Korea in America, the Korean Legation in the US," features a video of the second legation building remaining in Logan Circle, Washington D.C. This legation was confiscated by Japan in 1910 but was reclaimed through government and private efforts in 2012. After restoration and conservation, it reopened in 2018 as an exhibition space reproducing its original appearance.

The exhibition runs until December 13.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.