개항후 美國 使行과 서구 수용의 추이

Korean Diplomatic Mission to the US and the Adoption of Western Civilization in the Late 19th Century

Bobingsa (the diplomatic mission to the US in 1883) were the first Koreans to visit Western countries. They presented credentials and made an on-site inspection in the US for two months. Through the experiences in the West, they felt a culture shock, and their belief that the Confucian culture was the center of the World civilization was collapsed. They all realized that the West was in the light, while Chosen was in the darkness. But there were two tendencies toward the adoption of the Western civilization at that time. Min Yeong-ik who was the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary insisted to adopt the Western civilization within the limits of advanced technology. On the contrary, Hong Yeong-sik insisted that Korea should adopt the Western civilization without any restriction. Both of them could not have enough time to take in the Western civilization. In contrast to Min and Hong, Bahk Jeong-yang who was the first ambassador to the US could experience the West much more comprehensively. In 1888, he opened the Korean Legation in Washington D.C. It was the first legation to be founded in the West. He stayed there for 10 months, and attended various diplomatic events and parties. He observed political events like National Holiday and the Presidential Election, and took school tours. In the meantime he could survey the US political system which stood on the separation of three powers. While he acknowledged Christianity as a moral foundation of America, he thought that American civilization was based on democracy, which was significantly different from the monarchic system of Chosen. He tried to put the Western civilization into the bowl of Confucianism. His experience was crucial to the establishment of the Independent Club in 1896. But he could not see the hidden dark side of American Society such as the labor condition, poverty, and racism, because his experience was limited to the official duty as a diplomat.