The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Thu, February 25, 2021 | 17:07
Foreign Communities
Book explores Korea's 1871 conflict with US
Posted : 2021-01-05 17:34
Updated : 2021-01-06 14:00
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Matt VanVolkenburg

The cover of Thomas Duvernay's 'Sinmiyangyo: The 1871 Conflict Between the United States and Korea' / Courtesy of Thomas Duvernay
The cover of Thomas Duvernay's "Sinmiyangyo: The 1871 Conflict Between the United States and Korea" / Courtesy of Thomas Duvernay
In 1871, an American naval force sailed into Korean waters hoping to open diplomatic and trade relations with the Kingdom of Joseon and to negotiate a treaty for shipwrecked sailors. Instead, shots were exchanged and a military clash on Ganghwa Island left three Americans and perhaps 300 Koreans dead.

A number of misperceptions about this conflict have developed over the years, including the belief that the Americans sought to avenge the General Sherman, an American-flagged ship that was burned near Pyongyang in 1866.

Thomas Duvernay's recent book, "Sinmiyangyo: The 1871 Conflict Between the United States and Korea," sets out to separate myth from fact and provide the most detailed account yet of the events of June 1871.

He begins by making clear that the U.S. delegation did not have vengeance on their mind in regard to the General Sherman incident, as the case had been closed already, with many Americans who were aware of the facts conceding that the ship's crew had been in the wrong.

The cover of Thomas Duvernay's 'Sinmiyangyo: The 1871 Conflict Between the United States and Korea' / Courtesy of Thomas Duvernay
Thomas Duvernay stands on top of Deokjin Fort on Ganghwa Island in 2015. / Courtesy of Thomas Duvernay.
From there he describes how the military conflict between the two countries grew out of a cultural misunderstanding, in which a lack of response by Korean dignitaries to stated American plans to survey the Ganghwa Straits was misinterpreted as permission.

Before describing the fighting that ensued as a result, a number of chapters give the background necessary to understand the two-day campaign. In one chapter, Duvernay combines museum images, historical photos and excavated munitions to discuss in detail the weaponry used by both sides, while in another he explains the military organization and ranks of the U.S. Navy and Korean military. Other chapters give information on the Korean fortresses, the American ships involved and what daily routines on these ships were like.

The final chapter in this section discusses the research surveys the author carried out between 2000 and 2012 to determine the exact route of the U.S. advance and the positions of the Korean defenders. Aided by contemporary reports, maps and photos, these surveys used metal detectors to uncover spent bullets and shell fragments, which made clear where shots were fired and helped determine the positions of troops.

Though these chapters may at first seem overly detailed, their utility becomes clear once the author begins telling the story of how American sailors and marines landed on Ganghwa Island, fought their way to a number of Korean fortresses, which they demolished, and then returned to their ships. Due to the previous chapters, there is no need to pause and explain details and locations because the reader already has this information.

The book ends with a number of appendixes which include contemporary American naval reports, a discussion of Felice Beato's photos (the first ever taken in Korea) and the author's involvement in negotiating the return to Korea of the flag of General Eo Jae-yeon, which was taken to the U.S. after the battle.

The cover of Thomas Duvernay's 'Sinmiyangyo: The 1871 Conflict Between the United States and Korea' / Courtesy of Thomas Duvernay
Thomas Duvernay poses with the flag of General Eo Jae-yeon, which the Americans had taken in 1871, after he helped negotiate its return to Korea. / Courtesy of Thomas Duvernay.

In assessing the conflict, Duvernay makes clear that though the Americans were outnumbered, the result of the fighting was a foregone conclusion due to the superiority of American weaponry, particularly mobile artillery. Despite the American military victory, however, Koreans won a diplomatic victory because "in the end, the Koreans did not concede a single thing." The U.S. got no treaties and left Korean waters empty-handed.

Though readers might wish for more of a focus on the Korean view of these events, the disparity in available archival information makes an American focus inevitable. Still, the Joseon court's view of the conflict would have been interesting to read. As well, while the book opens and ends with brief discussions of international events that contributed to and followed in the wake of the conflict, one is left wishing that the context of 19th-century gunship diplomacy in East Asia was discussed in more detail.

Despite these quibbles, however, Duvernay provides readers with the most detailed account yet of the Korean-American conflict of 1871, one which will appeal to those with an interest in American, Korean and military history.

"Sinmiyangyo" is available on
Amazon, Good Reads and various Korean online and offline retailers.


Matt VanVolkenburg has a master's degree in Korean studies from the University of Washington. He is the blogger behind
populargusts.blogspot.kr.


Emailjdunbar@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter









 
 
  • K League star Ki Sung-yueng denies sexual assault allegations
  • All overseas arrivals required to submit negative PCR test results
  • Korea reports 1st population decline in 2020; total fertility rate hits new record of 0.84
  • Victims still reeling from traumatic past, yet bullies forgetful
  • Haute couture designer Kay Kim speaks about SM's girl band debut costume, her brand
  • Earth is suffering [PHOTOS]
  • Hyundai to replace Kona EV batteries
  • New virus cases rebound to over 400 ahead of vaccine rollout
  • [ANALYSIS] Is Samsung Electronics losing competence in NAND?
  • South Korea raises wartime sex slavery issue at UN
  • B.A.P Himchan sentenced to 10 months in prison for sexual assault B.A.P Himchan sentenced to 10 months in prison for sexual assault
  • Agency refuses to confirm report that Jennie and G-Dragon are dating Agency refuses to confirm report that Jennie and G-Dragon are dating
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Minari' actor Han Ye-ri recalls why the film is special to her [INTERVIEW] 'Minari' actor Han Ye-ri recalls why the film is special to her
  • Online streamer under fire for 'thoughtless' behavior in Brazil Online streamer under fire for 'thoughtless' behavior in Brazil
  • 'Beauty Water' becomes 1st Korean animated film to win award at Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival 'Beauty Water' becomes 1st Korean animated film to win award at Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival
DARKROOM
  • Earth is suffering [PHOTOS]

    Earth is suffering [PHOTOS]

  • NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

    NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

  • Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

    Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

  • Our children deserve better: Part 3

    Our children deserve better: Part 3

  • Mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign starts: Part 2

    Mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign starts: Part 2

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright