'Busan's Diplomatic Scene During the Port Opening' Revealed... Busan Publishes 'Korean Translation of the Joseon Office Records (6)'

Includes Diplomatic Documents Written from 1872 to April 1873

A record that shows the diplomatic exchanges and negotiations between Busan and Japan ahead of the port opening has been translated into Korean. The city of Busan has been successively releasing historical materials that document the foreign relations of Busan during the opening of ports and the history of Korea-Japan diplomacy, thereby expanding the foundation for local historical research.

On August 6, the Busan Metropolitan Government (Mayor Jeon Jae-soo) announced the publication of the 33rd volume of the Busan Historical Materials Series, titled "Korean Translation of the Joseon Office Records (6)."

The Busan Historical Materials Series is a project aimed at building foundational data for local historical research by translating and introducing pre-modern Busan-related historical records.

The newly published "Korean Translation of the Joseon Office Records (6)" is a Korean translation of volumes 17 through 20 of the "Joseon Office Records," a collection of diplomatic documents related to Joseon that were compiled by Japan. Busan is proceeding with the translation project for all nine volumes and plans to complete the entire series by 2029.

The "Joseon Office Records" is a collection that compiles diplomatic documents written by Waegwan officials around the time of the port opening. After the signing of the Korea-Japan Treaty of Amity in 1876, the Japanese Consulate General was established in Busan, and the Re-Busan Japanese Consulate General compiled 29 volumes by gathering reports from Waegwan officials and instructions from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Daijokan from 1867 to 1874.

This collection contains not only Dongnae Prefecture's diplomatic policies and negotiation processes with Japan, but also records changes in Busan’s foreign relations before and after the opening of the port, making it a core historical material for the study of local Busan history and Korea-Japan diplomatic history.

The sixth volume includes diplomatic documents written from 1872 to April 1873. It provides insights into the visits of Japanese diplomats to Joseon, work at the Choryang Waegwan, and matters related to trade with Joseon during that period.

Two experts in modern international relations participated in the translation process, while two historians reviewed the work to enhance its accuracy. To aid readers' understanding, the book also contains commentary explaining the historical significance of the materials.

The "Korean Translation of the Joseon Office Records (6)" can be accessed at public libraries in the Busan area, and it is also available for download on the websites of the Busan Metropolitan Government and the Busan Metropolitan City History Compilation Committee.

Cover of Gukyuk Joseon Office Document (6).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.