Examples of Distortions

Japan: “Thereafter, the Japanese government took an aggressive stance during the talks with Joseon after a Japanese naval vessel was fired upon in 1875 (the incident) while it was training and surveying along the shore near Hanseong (Seoul)”. (Middle School Social Studies, History; Japan’s Change and the World, Chyukyo Publishers, 1992.)

“Meanwhile, Saiko Takamori and Itagaki Taisuke tried to conquer Joseon by dispatching troops, because Joseon did not accept Japan’s demands.(Middle School Social Studies, History, Nihon-syoseki Publishers, 1993.)

Comment

The facts of the Unyo incident which occurred in 1875 were distorted by the Japanese at the time they began their imperialistic expansion. After having opened its ports to the United States in 1854, Japan achieved rapid modernization over two decades and then began to turn its ambitions toward the Asian continent, including Korea. While Japan pursuing diplomatic talks with Korea (at that time, Joseon), some radical imperialists in Japan insisted that Japan should invade Korea as it had done in the past. However, their arguments met with opposition from the moderates and a gradual approach to the invasion of Korea was then planned. In order to aid such a gradual invasion plan, Japan conducted surveillance near the shoreline of the island of Ganghwado. This region is a part of Korea’s territorial waters and the gateway to Korea’s capital, Seoul. The surveillance was conducted by a naval battleship, the Unyo which had been purchased from England. The Joseon naval forces, which were then guarding the shorelines, fired on the Unyo so as to prevent it from approaching the shore.

At that time, not only was there a lack of means to communicate between vessels and guards on shore but also the Korean Navy was on alert due to the frequent appearance of Western naval vessels along the shores leading to Seoul. The Unyo responded by firing its canons and approached closer to the Korean coast. With a show of military power, the Japanese protested against the actions of the Joseon naval forces and claimed that they had approached the shore for water. Furthermore, the Japanese navy demanded an apology from the Korean Government and a trade agreement. Such steps taken by the Japanese in approaching Korea are similar to those taken by Western vessels.

In the following spring (February 1876), Japan sent six naval vessels and 500 soldiers to Korea headed by a man named Kurota, to demand an apology from the Korean Government for the Unyo Incident and an official trade treaty. At that time in Korea, there was strong opposition to opening up the country to trade. However, Korea ultimately had no choice but to sign the 1876 Treaty of Ganghwado because of the strong support of those in favor of opening the country to foreign trade, the use of military force by Japan and the influence of China. The Treaty of Ganghwado forced Korea to open up its harbors and provided an opportunity for the unrestricted economic activities of Japanese merchants in Korea. While the Treaty of Ganghwado was the first step in the opening of Korea to the world, it was, at the same time, the first step in Japan’s plan to invade Korea. Thereafter, Japan continuously found ways to further its incursion into Korea.

The Unyo Incident was carefully orchestrated by Japan in order to induce the Korean Navy to attack first, so they could use this as an excuse to demand a trade treaty. However, Japan tries to shift the responsibility for this incident onto Korea, implying that it was caused by a provocation by the Korean Navy. If Japan had not planned the incident, they would have retaliated against Korea with force. Moreover, Japan would not have demanded or pursued the Treaty of Ganghwado. The claims made by Japan about the Unyo Incident are a classic example of its attempts to distort historic events.