Korean reform movements

Korea had long been mainland chinas most important client state, merely its strategic location opposite the Japanese islands and its natural resources of coal and contract attracted Japans interest. In 1875 Japan, which had begun to adopt Western technology, forced Korea to open itself to foreign, especially Japanese, concern and to declare itself independent from China in its foreign relations. In declination of 1884, a faction of young Korean aristocrats, called Progressives, attempted a putsch dtat, Kapsin Jeongbyeon, with the support of the Japanese in an attempt to gain true bailiwick independence and put their government on the way to modernization.Japan short became identified with the more radical modernizing forces within the Korean government, while China continued to support the conservative officials gathered around the royal family. This political takeover detat was provoked by Chinas interference in Koreas internal affairs. Chinese conservatives in collaboration with their Korean associates stemmed the tide of modernization constitution proposed by reformists and draw a bead oned at strengthening of Korean independence. As a wake there was a threat of war between Japan and China but it was avoided by the signing of the Li-Ito Convention, the agreement in compliance with which from each one nation would withdraw its troops from Korea and give advance notice to the another(prenominal) before sending troops back in (Stone MacDonald, 1996, p. 38).The reformists bid for index number failed and traditional Korean government supported by China, retained control. thither are several weaknesses in Kapsin Jeongbyeon that made it fail. First of all this snub was planned to be implemented during the jubilance of the grand opening of in the altogether Postal Administration. So the armed forces illegally burst into the palace where celebration was held and made an attack. They counted on the Japanese legation guards in terms of armament suppor t but did not get any assistance on Japans part. On the contrary they met Japans lese majesty when the military forces retreated, leaving reformists activists on their own.This was the second major cause of Kapsin Jeongbyeon defeat. anyhow the lack of military power the reform action suffered from the lack of open support. The Korean society turned out to be politically greenish and unable to give appropriate assessment to the situation and necessary support. The arrangement of any reformative estimates offered by politicians, public figures or revolutionists depends on that whether this base can receive powerful backing from ordinary citizens. In the matter with Kapsin movement this prerequisite was not fulfilled and this fact consequently added to the movement failure.Despite its failure, Kapsin movement left a significant trace in the history of Korea as national event. In its essence it was the movement the aim of which was the implementation of a nationally important p rogram of modernization and motion of independent status for Korean nation. Virtually, it was the prototypical active movement in the Korean modern history. The Kapsin participants strived to do away with feudal system in the country and lay the foundation for development of the financially independent, modern state. The idea of the movement concerned two facets of the Koreans life independence and modernization.Thus it provided a stimulus for further struggle against foreign domination over Korea and first of all for resistance movement against Chinas incursion and avouchment of national independence. On the other hand Kapsin stimulated modern reforms that ameliorated favorable and financial situation in the country, founded national defence system that fused national power of Korea and last but not least introduced the securities industry economy.Being a national movement, Kapsin provided sound basis for modern patriotism in Korea, its national concepts were repeatedly expl oited by later patriotism movements. It also affected religious situation in the country. Though the coup dtat failed, many reformers with religious leanings turned to Christianity, even reformist Confucianism lost(p) prestige and institutional support.1884 coup detat, Kapsin Jeongbyeon, signified a period of the trick out of competing nationalism, the self-strengthening and enlightenment campaigns in Korea.ReferencesStone MacDonald, Donald (1996) The Koreans Contemporary Politics and Society. Boulder Westview Press.