Surviving Imperial Intrigues: Korea’s Struggle for Neutrality amid Empires, 1882-1907
Channel: SOAS University of London
Date: 2021-02-09

Surviving Imperial Intrigues: Korea’s Struggle for Neutrality amid Empires, 1882-1907 was recorded on 5th February 2021 with speaker Dr Sangpil Jin (University of Edinburgh). Find out more at: https://www.soas.ac.uk/koreanstudies/events/seminars/05feb2021-surviving-imperial-intrigues-koreas-struggle-for-neutrality-amid-empires-1882-1907-.html

This seminar focuses on my upcoming monograph, which sheds light on the following topic: how successful Korean neutralization could have radically transformed the equation of balance of power in East Asia and change major powers’ strategic calculus of the region. While neutralization is the focal point of the project, it also analyses Korea’s multi-faceted relations with China, Japan, Russia, the U.S., and to a lesser degree, Britain, and France. Within the overall framework of Sino-Japanese, Anglo-Russian, and Russo-Japanese rivalries, this work encompasses the critical factors like international agreements and factional conflicts that lurked behind Korea’s journey towards neutralization. Furthermore, this book seeks to provide an analytical lens to understand Korea’s intricate diplomatic relations with major powers, a periphery state in the international system during the imperialist era. Available in English for the first time, this work expands on Korea’s often contentious relations with major powers and their rivalries surrounding the country for three decades. With the timespan stretching from 1882 to 1907, this project entails a meticulous analysis of published and unpublished primary sources from Asia, Europe, and North America.