근대 한국의 ‘지방대외교섭(地方對外交涉)’ 개념에 대한 시론(試論)

Abstract

The word of ‘Wegyo(外交)’ means diplomacy in East Asia including Korea. And its subject is the state(country) on almost all occasions in modern times, but not always in the past, seen from the example of ‘The Office for the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs(交涉署)’ in modern China. It dealt with the foreign consul on even ground, and the office corresponding to this in late 19th century of Korea was Gamriseo(監理署; the Superintendent Office). This was under the control of the Foreign Office just as the consul took instructions from the minister. So the relationship between Gamriseo and the consul meant the diplomacy on one level below that between the Foreign Office and the minister. This ‘one level below’ diplomacy can be defined as ‘the local foreign negotiation(地方對外交涉; Jibang-Daewe-Gyoseop)’. From its examples of Busan, Gamriseo handled some routine works on its own. In case of more important incidents about foreigners, it reported to the Foreign Office after taking steps first. And its major principles were doing it beneficially to Koreans, and all the provided evidences must be from the diplomatic literature like the treaties.