This thesis is an exploratory one, which examines the relationship between Western influences (such as the media, education, work, travel, and friendships) and traditional values in South Korea (such as those related to family, social relationships, nationalism, social order, leisure time, work, religion and women’s issues). The relationship between these was investigated in light of modernization theories and Riesman’s stages of societal progress. Furthermore, a survey was conducted among 579 individuals from the younger and older generations in Seoul and Daegu, to determine the degree of Western influences among the generations, and the adherence to traditional values. It was found that the younger generation clearly had more exposure to Western influences, and also adhered much less to traditional values, while the opposite held true for the older generation. A case was made that South Korea’s unprecedented development following Independence opened the country, especially the younger generation, to influences from the West as they had never experienced before. The generation gap that came as a result of this is extreme, and without express effort to preserve those traditional values that have shaped Korean society for so long, there may be serious ramifications for Korean society in the future.

This doctoral thesis presents a historical study of the diplomatic exchanges between the Japanese and the Korean embassy in the eighteenth century. Neighbourly relationships (J: kōrin, K: kyorin) were maintained between Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) and Chosŏn Korea (1392-1910) for more than 250 years. The visitations of the Korean embassy, dispatched to congratulate a new Tokugawa shogun, were often seen as the symbol of their amicable and friendly relationship, and it is well known that the Koreans were cordially welcomed by the Tokugawa bakufu. Despite these neighbourly relations, the visitations of the embassy had a more pragmatic purpose. More complex political conditions and nature were immanent within and between the both states. In the diplomatic interaction, the officials in the two states had traditional and obstinately-held perceptions towards the counterpart hidden behind the pleasant gesture. In this thesis, I attempt to uncover what is associated with these neighbourly relations, by revealing the cultural awareness and consciousness of these two states in East Asia through detailed examinations of the historical sources. To find the notions behind the exchange, my thesis illustrates Japanese and Korean hua-yi awareness that came to light through the interactions between the Japanese and the Koreans. The Chinese hua-yi order, the concept of looking at the Chinese dynasties as the center, was said to dominate the East Asian order. From the Chinese point of view, Tokugawa Japan and Chosŏn Korea were barbaric and on the margins, but from the perspectives of the two countries, they certainly recognized themselves as the centers. On the basis of the dynamism of historical events, thoughts, and notions between Tokugawa Japan and Chosŏn Korea in the eighteenth century, this research will examine multi-layered perspectives of the individual Japanese and Koreans who played essential roles in diplomacy. How were those officials representing the two states aware of their peers, and how did these notions affect the modern history of the two countries? This question is consistently engaged in this thesis, and to answer it the research will be further explored.

This thesis explores the coalescence of Japanese and Anglo-American colonial discourses in the Seoul Press. Between the Protectorate Treaty of 1905 and the Annexation Treaty of 1910, Korea was dominated not only territorially but also discursively. Under the guise of the “civilizing mission,” the Japanese Residency General sought to legitimize its colonial project in Korea. To accomplish its goals of silencing foreign opposition to Japanese colonialism and of dictating international opinion about Korea, the Residency General established an English language newspaper, the Seoul Press. In the pages of this daily paper, the views of Japanese colonial officials as well as Anglo-American observers found expression. Through an analysis of articles from the Seoul Press, this thesis will reveal the existence of a dual-layered gaze of colonialism, the rhetorical threads of which made up the tapestry of colonial communication.

This thesis explores the coalescence of Japanese and Anglo-American colonial discourses in the Seoul Press. Between the Protectorate Treaty of 1905 and the Annexation Treaty of 1910, Korea was dominated not only territorially but also discursively. Under the guise of the “civilizing mission,” the Japanese Residency General sought to legitimize its colonial project in Korea. To accomplish its goals of silencing foreign opposition to Japanese colonialism and of dictating international opinion about Korea, the Residency General established an English language newspaper, the Seoul Press. In the pages of this daily paper, the views of Japanese colonial officials as well as Anglo-American observers found expression. Through an analysis of articles from the Seoul Press, this thesis will reveal the existence of a dual-layered gaze of colonialism, the rhetorical threads of which made up the tapestry of colonial communication.

Graduation date: 1990

This doctoral thesis presents a historical study of the diplomatic exchanges between the Japanese and the Korean embassy in the eighteenth century. Neighbourly relationships (J: kōrin, K: kyorin) were maintained between Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) and Chosŏn Korea (1392-1910) for more than 250 years. The visitations of the Korean embassy, dispatched to congratulate a new Tokugawa shogun, were often seen as the symbol of their amicable and friendly relationship, and it is well known that the Koreans were cordially welcomed by the Tokugawa bakufu. Despite these neighbourly relations, the visitations of the embassy had a more pragmatic purpose. More complex political conditions and nature were immanent within and between the both states. In the diplomatic interaction, the officials in the two states had traditional and obstinately-held perceptions towards the counterpart hidden behind the pleasant gesture. In this thesis, I attempt to uncover what is associated with these neighbourly relations, by revealing the cultural awareness and consciousness of these two states in East Asia through detailed examinations of the historical sources. To find the notions behind the exchange, my thesis illustrates Japanese and Korean hua-yi awareness that came to light through the interactions between the Japanese and the Koreans. The Chinese hua-yi order, the concept of looking at the Chinese dynasties as the center, was said to dominate the East Asian order. From the Chinese point of view, Tokugawa Japan and Chosŏn Korea were barbaric and on the margins, but from the perspectives of the two countries, they certainly recognized themselves as the centers. On the basis of the dynamism of historical events, thoughts, and notions between Tokugawa Japan and Chosŏn Korea in the eighteenth century, this research will examine multi-layered perspectives of the individual Japanese and Koreans who played essential roles in diplomacy. How were those officials representing the two states aware of their peers, and how did these notions affect the modern history of the two countries? This question is consistently engaged in this thesis, and to answer it the research will be further explored.

Alliance means rather they share the same enemy than their good friends. This paper provides the view about this issue in Korea, especially the United States Forces Korea (USFK). It tries to analyze the relationship between USFK and the United States of America. Are South Korea and USA good alliance? It is supported by two minor research question which aim to find out the reason how USFK’s reductions gone through in past 50 years and how the history of U.S. foreign policy got changed especially in South Korea.   This paper used one case study with specific time line and events to provide the basic understand of USFK reductions within the framework of conflicts between U.S. administration and South Korea ministration.

This thesis is an exploratory one, which examines the relationship between Western influences (such as the media, education, work, travel, and friendships) and traditional values in South Korea (such as those related to family, social relationships, nationalism, social order, leisure time, work, religion and women’s issues). The relationship between these was investigated in light of modernization theories and Riesman’s stages of societal progress. Furthermore, a survey was conducted among 579 individuals from the younger and older generations in Seoul and Daegu, to determine the degree of Western influences among the generations, and the adherence to traditional values. It was found that the younger generation clearly had more exposure to Western influences, and also adhered much less to traditional values, while the opposite held true for the older generation. A case was made that South Korea’s unprecedented development following Independence opened the country, especially the younger generation, to influences from the West as they had never experienced before. The generation gap that came as a result of this is extreme, and without express effort to preserve those traditional values that have shaped Korean society for so long, there may be serious ramifications for Korean society in the future.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 168-172). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 168-172). Also available on the Internet.