After the Imo Soldiers’ Riot (임오군란, 1882), the “Regulations for Maritime and Overland Trade Between Korean and Chinese Merchants” (조청상민수륙무역장정, 商民水陸貿易章程, October 1882) were concluded, which significantly increased China’s economic influence. Following this, the Gapsin Coup (갑신정변, 1884) created political turmoil in Joseon, while Chinese interference in domestic affairs intensified further. Having lost political influence in Korea due to this coup, Japan sought instead to extend its economic influence there.
As a result of the coup, the Treaty of Tianjin (天津條約, 1885) gave both Japan and China equal rights to dispatch troops to Korea. In response, Joseon attempted to assert its independent diplomatic rights by curbing excessive Chinese interference. To do so, it invited Western diplomatic advisers and prepared the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce Between Great Britain and Corea (조영통상조약, 朝英通商條約). This treaty, consisting of 13 articles, was drafted in English along with the Supplementary Trade Regulations (附續通商章程), Tariff Regulations (稅則章程), and the Aftercare Agreement (善後續約). It was signed between Korea and Britain on November 26, 1883 (the 20th year of King Gojong’s reign), and on April 28, 1884, Harry Parkes and Kim Byeong-si (김병시, 金炳始) exchanged ratifications.
