The Ullŭng Island Crisis of the 1690s

Adam BohnetDepartment of History

Kings University College at Western

Structure of Talk

1. Introduction to Korea-Japan relations in the seventeenth century

2. Ullŭng Island in the seventeenth century

3. The crisis of the 1690s4. Conclusion

Chosŏn Korea (1392-1910) in the Seventeenth Century

Chosŏn invaded by Japan in 1592-1598; survives with help of Ming China.

Manchu Qing defeat Chosŏn 1637 and gain control of northern China in 1644 and all of China by 1683.

Chosŏn restores neighborly relations with Japan in early seventeenth century

Edo Japan

Tokugawa house emerges victorious at battle of Sekigahara (1600)

Unifies Japan, establishing capital of shogunate in Edo (Tokyo).

Foreign affairs brought under greater central control

Tsushima between Korea and Japan Island ruled by Sō clan (Japanese daimyo

and Korean minister) Beginning with the sixteenth century, gain

exclusive control of Korea-Japan trade Trade with Korea passes first through “Japan

House” in Tongnae in Korea, and then through Tsushima

Obtain considerable profits from managing and manipulating Korea-Japan relationship

Early History of Ullŭng IslandUllŭng Island came under Korean

control in 512 CEDuring fifteenth century during the

Chosŏn period, many islands, including Ullŭng Island, forcibly evacuated to eliminate resources for Japanese raids.

Ullŭng Island before the 1690s After Imjin War (1592-1598), Chosŏn too

weak to maintain control of island Two Japanese families from present-day

Tottori Prefecture, the Oya and the Murakawa, gain exclusive privilege to exploit resources on Ullŭng Island (which they call Takeshima or “Bamboo Island.”)

Harvest fish, abalone, bamboo, lumber and sea lions

Chosŏn court becomes aware of Japanese exploitation of island, but chooses to ignore it.

Crisis of 1693

1693: Korean fishermen, including An Yongbok and Pak Ŏdun, come to Ullŭng Island; Japanese fishermen kidnap them, take them forcibly back to Japanese mainland.

Investigated in Tottori, then brought to Tokyo ► Nagasaki ► Tsushima ► Korea

Shogunate concludes that Ullŭng Island should be off limits to Japanese fishermen

However …

Tsushima decides to intervene Sends a letter, reportedly with

shogunal approval, demanding that Chosŏn prevent its fisherman from sailing to Bamboo Island (Chukto/Takeshima 竹島 )

Chosŏn Board of Rites takes relatively cautious approach – agrees that Koreans should be banned from going to Bamboo Island; however, reaffirms Korean control of Ullŭng Island

Letter from Tsushima

“From this day forward, let us resolve not to allow any more [Korean] ships on that island, and thoroughly maintain the ban on [Korean ships passing into that area.] Only by doing so can we maintain our good relations, free from unpleasant events between our two countries [of Korea and Japan].”

Response from Board of Rites “Our country prevents fishermen from sailing into

distant waters. Even in the case of our territory of Ullŭng Island we limit the travel of fishermen because of its great distance – most certainly we do not allow fishermen to go any further than that. When this boat sailed into your territory of Bamboo Island, you went to the trouble of returning them, and even sent a letter over such a great distance; we are truly overwhelmed with emotion at the sincerity of the affection between our two neighbouring countries. The commoners who live on the seaside fish in order to survive, but there are cases when they drift into the territory of other countries. In this case, where a fishing-boat crosses far into your territory and fishes without approval, the fishermen clearly deserve harsh punishment according to the law. In the future, we will maintain the punishments for violating territorial restrictions, to give a strong message to those dwelling on the coast.”

Diplomatic Crisis

Tsushima angered by reference to Ullŭng Island in Chosŏn response, demand that it be removed.

Chosŏn court refuses to back down; Chosŏn officialdom begins to suspect that Tsushima is trying to trick them.

Nam Kuman (1629-1711)

“According to the report of the magistrate of Tongnae, the Japanese once more have been saying, “Chosŏn people have been entering our Bamboo Island. You should forbid them from entering the island again.” I have read in Topical Discourses of Chibong that “the Japanese have occupied Ŭijuk Island. Ŭijuk Island is Ullŭng Island.” The claims currently made by the Japanese will, if left unchecked, cause disaster without limit in the future. Our previous response to the Japanese was extremely vague. We must send another reception official to go through all earlier correspondence and strongly criticize them for ignoring the stated position of us, their neighbour. “

Sin Yŏch’ŏl (1634-1701)

“I, your minister, have heard from the fishermen of Yŏnghae that there are numerous large fish in the area of the island, and that there are also big trees and bamboo as big as trees, with soil that is rich and fertile. If the Japanese take possession of the island, then nearby Kangŭng and Samch’ŏk will suffer as a result.”

Crisis of 1696

An Yongbok believes correctly that Tsushima has distorted shogunal communication.

Frustrated by lack of interest from Chosŏn officials.

Organizes mission to Japan to report concerning Tsushima’s corruption, and Ullŭng/Chasan’s status directly.

Kept in seclusion in Tottori – however, receives written confirmation from Japanese official and then returns directly to Korea.

Response of the Chosŏn courtChosŏn court arrests An Yongbok’s

party upon returnHowever: Are they heroes who stood

up for Chosŏn territory, or are they criminals who pursued private diplomacy?

Yun Chiwan (1635-1718)

“According to the law, it is absolutely right that the state should execute An Yongbok. In terms of strategy, however, it is incorrect. It is unacceptable to ignore the law, but most lamentable to waste a good strategy. “

Response of the Chosŏn Court New faction in control of Chosŏn

bureaucracy under control of Nam Kuman.

Nam Kuman has a particular interest in territorial issues, and, in particular, advocated expanding population of northern territory to clearly establish Chosŏn control there.

Court reduces An Yongbok’s punishment to exile and focuses on punishing Tsushima for its dishonesty

Ullŭng Island is brought clearly into Chosŏn territory – although permanent settlement not allowed

An Yongbok remembered as a hero

Sin Yŏch’ŏl (1634-1701)

“While the matter of An Yongbok is truly most disturbing, still he did succeed in doing something that our court was not able to do. The merit of his action is sufficient to make up for his crime, and it would be wrong to make him suffer the supreme punishment.”

Concluding thoughts Historically, this is a fascinating case of low-status

fisherman taking a very important role in diplomacy. Why was the incident solved so quickly?

Edo shogunate trying to centralize foreign affairs and limit possibility of unplanned foreign entanglements▪ Actions of Japanese fishermen against An Yongbok just the sort of

incident that Edo was trying to avoid.▪ Certainly does not want war with Korea

Chosŏn court becoming more assertive▪ Pursuing a policy of allowing settlement of island▪ Regulating far more strictly actions of Japanese merchants in Korea▪ Also does not want war with Japan

Tsushima ultimately depends on good will of Chosŏn and Edo for survival