Korea's Fight for Freedom

approached its uncharted and unlit shores were fired upon. Its only land approach, from the north, was bounded by an alm

wonders of modern civilization, they received the haughty reply that Korea was qu

ho, eleven hundred years before Christ, moved with his tribesmen over the river Yalu because he would not recognize or submit to a new dynasty that had usurped power in China. His followers doubtless absor

f culture, and all records indicate that in the days when the early Briton painted himself with woad and when Rome was at her prime, Korea was a powerful, orderly and civili

wept over Korea, capturing city after city, and driving the Korean forces to the north. Korea appealed to China for aid, and after terrible fighting, the Japanese were driven back. They left a Korea in ruins,

rted for the moment, smouldered, waiting for the moment to burst afresh into flame. The memories of their terrible sufferings at the hands

uries ago, and established a rule fatal to all progress. The King was everything, and the nation lived solely for him. No man was allowed to become too r

nd even the village magistrate, representing the King, could freely work his will on those under him. The King had his eyes everywhere. His spies were all over the land. Let yang-ban (official or noble) h

r for them had they not suffered wrongs so tamely. The Yi method of government killed ambition-except for the King's servi

the end of the eighteenth century, smuggled themselves in. Despite torture and death, they kept on, until the great

dared oppose him. He had the idea that the Christians favoured the coming of the foreigner and so he turned his wrath on them. The native Catholics were wiped out, under every possible circumstance of brutality, and with them perished a number of French Catholic priests. By one of those contradictions which are constantly

to the Han River, and attacked the forts on the Kangwha Island. The Korean troops met them bravely, and althoug

sent fire boats drifting down the river towards the American ship. One of them set the General Sherman in flames. Those of the crew who were not burned on the spot were soon slaughtered by the triumphant Korean soldiers. A more disreputable expedition, headed by a German Jew, Ernest Oppert and an American called Jenkins, left Shanghai in the following year, with a strong fighting crew of Chinese and Malays, and with a French missionary priest, M. Feron, as guide. They landed, and

eached the mouth of the Han River, and sent a message to the King, asking an explanation of the matter. He had to retire, owing to weather conditions, before the reply arrived. The Korean r

Marines and sailors landed, and in capturing a hill fort, had a short, hot hand-to-hand battle with the defenders. The Koreans fought desperately, picking up handfuls of dust to fling in the eyes of the Americans when they had nothing else to figh

reign ships approaching their shore. There was a furious demand all over the country for revenge. Ito and other leaders with cool heads resisted the demand, but took such steps that Korea was compelled to conclude a treaty opening several ports to Japanese trade and giving Japan the right to send a minister to Seoul,

so Li Hung-chang advised the Korean rulers to guard themselves. "You must open your doors to other nations in order to keep out Russia," he told them. At the same time it was intimated to Ministers in Peking, particularly to the American Minister, that if he would approach the Koreans, they would be willing to listen. Commodore Shufeldt was made American Envoy, and an A

the Korean ruler as the sheet anchor of his safety, until s

d subjects of their respective Governments. If other powers deal unjustly or oppressively with either Government, the other will ex

s to say that the foreigners charged with any offence there should be

eign ministers and their staffs arrived first. Missionaries, c

es, roofed with thatch-a city guarded by great walls. Statesmen and nobles and generals, always surrounded by numerous retinues in glorious

The most prominent industry-outside of politics-was the making of brass ware, particularly of making fine brass mounted chests. The average citizen dressed

ress was a white skirt coming high up and a very short jacket. The breasts and the flesh immediately below the breasts were often freely displayed. Fishing and farming supported ninety per cent of the population, and the Korean farmer was an exp

te clothes soiled easily; yet they probably spent more time and money over external cleanliness than any other Asiatic people. At first, they gave an impression of laziness. The visitor would note them sleeping in the streets of the ci

thout the Queen. She was as ambitious as the Regent. The birth of a son greatly improved and strengthened her authority, and she gradually edged the Regent's party out of high office. Her brother, Min Yeung-ho, became Prime Minister; her nephew, Min Yung-ik, was sent as Ambassador to the United States. The Regent was anti-foreign; the Queen advocated the admission of foreigne

foreigner, and that Queen Min had brought the wrath of the gods on them. The National Treasury failed, and many of the King's soldiers and retainers were ready for any

d, and some had even joined the people. Queen Min was calm and collected. She quickly changed clothes with one of her serving women, w

his services that day rose till he finally became Prime Minister of the land. When the crowd broke into the Queen'

ere murdered-fought bravely, keeping the mob back until the Legation building was set afire. Then they battled their way through the city to the coast. T

after, Hanabusa returned to Seoul with a strong military escort. He demanded and obtained punishment of the murderers,

not save him. The Chinese, with elaborate courtesy, invited him to a banquet and to inspect their ships. There was one ship, in particular, to which they called his honourable attention. They begged him to go aboard and note the wonder

im into imprisonment and exile for three years,