고려 문종의 의사파견 요청과 여일관계

Munjong(the king of Goryeo)’s Request to dispatch doctors and Diplomatic relations between Goryeo and Japan

With bringing about a rapprochement with Sung(宋), Munjong(文宗) of Goryeo(高麗) requested to dispatch doctors and accepted Sung’s demand through its merchant to pay tribute at the same time. This request had an intention of avoiding Khitan(契丹)’s objection rather than a purpose to cure diseases. Thanks to sending an envoy for Sung s demand, Munjong could discuss the rapprochement without Khitan’s disturbance. And then Goryeo restored diplomatic relations with Sung and could have active sea trades. Goryeo tried to negotiate with Japan for establishing diplomatic relations, but Japan recognized Goryeo as an enemy that had succeeded to Silla(新羅). Because of that, it was very difficult for Goryeo to dispatch an envoy. To improve the relations, Goryeo had expressed no hostility against Japan by repatriating its prisoners. Nevertheless, the diplomatic situation did not get better, so Munjong decided to make “doctor diplomacy”, which was the same way to restore diplomatic relations with Sung, for entering into diplomatic relations with Japan. Munjong gave Ou Soku-tei(王則貞), who was Japanese merchant traveling back and forth between Goryeo and Japan, his credentials and representative role of Goryeo. Because of his efforts, Japan changed its attitude toward Goryeo and discussed dispatching doctors. However, Fujiwara no Morozane(藤原師實), Emperor’s chief advisor(Kampaku, 關白), thwarted it by using deceased father’s authority in almost the last step of it. Even though Munjong’s plan did not succeed, it resulted in changed Japan’s recognition for Goryeo. This showed that Japan’s attitude to Goryeo changed from hostility into amicability, so Japan began to trade with Goryeo actively. Since then, this friendly relation between Goryeo and Japan had been lasted for about 200 years.