Treaty of Kanghwa

The Treaty of Kanghwa, signed in 1876, was a pivotal agreement between Japan and Korea. Following Japan's persistent attempts to establish diplomatic relations, warships were dispatched to Korea, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The resulting treaty declared Korea an independent state, on equal footing with Japan.12

This treaty marked a significant shift, as Korea, previously under significant Chinese influence, was now formally recognized as independent. However, China maintained that it could still support Korea as a vassal state in times of crisis, a view that conflicted with the treaty's assertion of independence. The treaty also opened Korean ports, such as Busan, Wonsan, and Incheon, to Japanese trade, increasing Japan's presence and influence on the peninsula. This event was a precursor to further Japanese involvement in Korean affairs and contributed to the growing tensions that would eventually lead to the Sino-Japanese War.123