義和團事件과 일본의 외교전략

The boxer rebellion and Japan’s diplomatic strategy

Peking was isolated by the Ching troops and rebel forces during the Boxer Rebellion and public order could not be maintained. By taking advantage of this chaos Russia occupied Manchuria. Japanese foreign policy makers also wanted to solve the Korean problem by taking full advantage of a political chaos in China. Under these circumstances there appeared a policy initiative to occupy part of Korea such as Inchon harbor or the Koche Island. Its strong proponents were Japanese Consul in Korea and non-government associations. When it became apparent that Russian occupation of Manchuria became a settled matter, Japanese foreign policy makers felt a lot of pressure caused by the occupation. At this juncture they began to relate the Korean issue to the Manchurian issue, and this led to the emergence of a policy of exchanging Manchuria for Korea. As the Korean issue became related to the Manchurian issue, Japan was forced to change its previous Korean policy. The two issues became inseparable. The policy could not be realized because of its failed negotiations with Russia but guided the Japan’s Russian policy until the outbreak of the war against Russia in 1904.