Exploring Korea

A historical account of Korea's diplomatic relations with Japan, China, and Russia in the 1890s.

A British traveler navigates Seoul's narrow alleys, where the King's absence from public life has left the city in disarray. He witnesses the capital's transformation from a foul, congested capital to a cleaner, more orderly city under the Chief Commissioner of Customs. The traveler observes Korean society's deep-rooted beliefs in demonology, where shamans mediate between people and spirits. He notes the King's residence at the Russian Legation, a symbol of Korea's shifting foreign relations. The traveler documents Korea's struggle to modernize while maintaining its traditional practices. He records the growing influence of foreign powers on Korean politics and society. His observations capture a nation at a crossroads, with its future uncertain.