Series | Studi e ricerche
Edited book | Cultural Exchanges Between Korea and the West
Chapter | The Belgium-Korea Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation of 1901

The Belgium-Korea Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation of 1901

Abstract

During the second half of the nineteenth century, Belgian diplomats in China and Japan suggested the establishment of official relations with Korea, depicted as a potential access to resources and an outlet for Belgium’s industry. This idea did not materialize until the formation of an Anglo-Belgian syndicate in charge of the exploitation of a gold mining concession in Korea. The Belgium-Korea Treaty of 1901 was fundamentally an unequal treaty. Similar to those concluded with other Western powers in the 1880s, it consolidated the regime of multilateral imperialism in Korea by legally paving the way for Belgium’s activities in the country.


Open access | Peer reviewed

Submitted: Nov. 24, 2022 | Accepted: Dec. 22, 2022 | Published Aug. 30, 2023 | Language: en

Keywords ImperialismKojongLate ChosǒnUnequal treatiesDiplomatic relationsCommerceBarbariansNeutralityLéon VincartPak Che-sunCivilizationǓnsan gold mineEastern Pioneer CompanyBelgium


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