Background

In 1876, Korea established a trade treaty with Japan after Japanese ships approached Ganghwado and threatened to fire on the Korean capital city. Treaty negotiations with several Western countries were made possible by the completion of this initial Japanese overture.

In 1882, the Americans concluded a treaty and established diplomatic relations, which served as a template for subsequent negotiations with other Western powers.

Treaty provisions

The French and Koreans negotiated and approved a multi-article treaty with provisions similar to other Western nations.

Ministers from France to Korea were appointed in accordance with this treaty; and they were: Victor Collin de Plancy

Victor Collin de Plancy

Victor Emile Marie Joseph Collin de Plancy was a French diplomat, bibliophile, and art collector.He was the son of Jacques Collin de Plancy.Collin de Plancy served for nearly a decade starting in 1884 as French Minister to Korea....

, appointed in 1888; H. Fradin, in 1892; and Collin de Plancy again in 1901.

The treaty remained in effect even after the protectorate was established

Korea under Japanese rule

Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....

in 1905.