Fusan in the 1890s or early 1900s / Robert Neff Collection

While Jemulpo (modern Incheon) was often described in the late 19th century as the gateway to Korea, I would argue it was Fusan (modern Busan) that deserved this title, especially in the 1880s, when it appears more non-military Westerners visited it than Jemulpo. Over the next couple of articles we will examine Fusan in the 1880s.

In October 1883, one foreign resident in Fusan described the port as a Japanese settlement consisting of 600 houses, which were, "for the most part substantially built specimens of Japanese architecture, two stories high," and provided housing for the 1,800 Japanese residents. The finest buildings were the Japanese consulate, the 1st National Bank, the offices of several Japanese traders, the steamship office and Kofukutsi Hotel. In addition, the port had a hospital, school, post office and police station. The two-storied Korean Imperial Customs Service's office was at the western end of the port and was also considered to be quite grand. In addition, a telegraph office was in the final stages of completion. He did not refer to Korea as the Land of the Morning Calm or even as the Hermit Kingdom, but instead deemed it the "Land of Promise."

While it may have been the "Land of Promise" to Japanese merchants, for non-Japanese businessmen, it was a forbidden land.

In October 1883, the Chinese firm of Tick Hing & Company informed Japanese Acting Consul General S. Miyamoto of its intention to open a general store in Fusan. The managers, Ah-chi and Wi-sing, were encouraged by the "friendly manner" in which they were received by the Japanese official and proceeded to select a building on the main street and obtain a six-month lease from the Japanese owner. The building was then refurnished and the grand opening was scheduled for Nov. 3.

In 1883, Nov. 3 was significant for many reasons. To the Japanese, it was their emperor's birthday, but for the Korean Imperial Customs Service at Fusan, it was the first day they began collecting custom duties.

It is unclear if this is in Fusan or Vladivostok in the 1890s or early 1900s. In the foreground, the man in the suit may have been a customs inspector. Robert Neff Collection

A day or two before the grand opening, a Japanese man appeared at the store and informed the Chinese merchants they were to appear at the Japanese consulate for an interview. One of the managers complied and was promptly told by the Japanese consul that they (the Chinese) were to immediately shut their business and leave the port on the next steamer. The Chinese merchants refused and informed the Japanese consul that they would appeal to the Korean authorities for help.

On the opening day, the shop was plagued with visits from Japanese store-keepers and merchants who threatened the occupants and ordered them to shut their store immediately. Later that evening, a large number of Japanese entered the shop and threatened not only to smash all of their merchandise but also to physically remove the Chinese from the premises. It was only with a great deal of effort that the Japanese were convinced to leave. They left, but warned they would return if the store opened again.

The Chinese merchants stoically opened their shop for business the following day and were again harassed by not only the Japanese merchants but also by the Japanese consulate. The Chinese reminded the Japanese consul they would hold him responsible for the acts of his countrymen. He ignored them.

The Chinese merchants lodged complaints with their minister in Seoul and their plight soon made its way into the English language newspapers in Japan and China. These newspapers — especially The Rising Sun & Nagasaki Express — denounced the Japanese acts. According to the newspaper:

"It seems that the Japanese Consul at Fusan objects to the presence of Chinese Merchants, on the grounds that in the settlement of Fusan it is agreed between Japan and Corea that only Japanese shall be able to carry on trade there."

The editor doubted such a treaty existed, but even if it did, he argued, the Japanese consul had been informed in advance of the Chinese merchants' intentions and had granted them permission to do so through his silence. It was only after a few Japanese peddlers complained of having to compete against the Chinese merchants that he took an active interest in the affair and then had the audacity to demand the Chinese merchants to leave.

Chinese passengers aboard a steamship — perhaps sailing to or from Vladivostok in the 1890s or early 1900s / Robert Neff Collection

He went on to write:

"The Japanese have held a rich monopoly in Corea for 7 years past, but cannot do so any longer. The day has now passed when only Japanese can set foot on shore in the Land of Morning Calm, and when Japanese can rob undisturbed, valuable timber, per force majeur, from the islands on the East coast of Corea."

He also expressed a desire for the Chinese fleet to visit not only Fusan, but also Nagasaki — "[as] the necessity for the presence of the Chinese fleet in these waters has been brought home to us in a most unmistakable manner…"

After the Chinese authorities in Seoul lodged a complaint with the Korean government, Paul Georg von Mollendorff, a German adviser, was dispatched to Fusan to mediate a solution. Apparently a compromise was reached in which the Chinese merchants were allowed to remain but they did so "in great fear of the jealous [Japanese] traders."

It seems that once its lease was up, the Chinese firm moved to Jemulpo and Seoul where it enjoyed a very profitable business until the night of June 2/3, 1889, when the company's shop in Seoul was robbed. Nearly $7,000 worth of gold, silver and watches were taken. One of the employees on duty was stabbed to death and the shop was then set on fire.

The Rising Sun & Nagasaki Express reported:

"This store is quite distant from any other Chinese or other foreign dwelling, and the robbers were not molested. Suspicion points to some of the Chinese roughs who have been flocking over from Chefoo for the last six months, and if the Chinese Minister wished he could most likely place his hands on the thieves without much trouble, as it is supposed that the entire contents of the store were carried away."

A Chinese newspaper added:

"Tick, Hing & Co. are the agents of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Co. in Corea. Much sympathy is felt for them. They had many friends, owing to their universal courtesy and strict integrity. Whether Coreans or destitute Chefoo Chinamen did it is not yet known. But robbery of money and valuables seem to have been the object. Messrs. Tick, Hing & Co. were not insured, and their loss must be very serious."

Shortly after the fatal robbery, the Chinese Legation in Seoul offered a reward of $1,000 for the arrest of the criminals. It isn't clear if anyone ever collected the reward but the company remained in Korea at least up until the early 20th century. For the company, Korea was definitely not the Land of the Morning Calm.

Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.