In 1871 the United States tries to open trade with Korea once more. The Koreans misunderstand the gesture, thinking they are only retaliating for the offense given by the Sherman incident, as France had retaliated after their run-in with Chosun.

Koreans fire on the American ships. There is no real harm done, but it does cause considerable embarrassment. An apology is demanded. Korea says none will be forthcoming. So the U.S. wipes out an enire fort. Then, in seeming disgust with all the effort expended so far from home, they leave. But their departure is hailed by the Koreans as a victory for themselves. It is eastern thinking. When you leave the scene of a battle, you lose.

Korea is beginning to rise in its estimation. First France, and now the great United States, flees from the power of the Peninsula. So seclusion remains the policy, at least for now. Why ruin a good thing?

In the midst of all these international dealings, next-door neighbor Japan becomes an Empire. Korea thinks they are looking down at them, and cuts trade again.

But the Regent and his ways of withdrawing from the coming new age, are going out.As the true King comes of age (23), it is clear that both he and his queen have quite different ideas. She for one is becoming fascinated by the Western trinkets that Japan shows her. She wants to deal not only with Japan but also with Roman Catholicism. The Regent is forced out of power as the next chapter dawns.

The Korean people will of course follow their king, but they miss the strong leadership the Regent has provided. Hulbert adds here "The Koreans have always preferred a strong ,even if tyrannical, leadership." Do tell!

In 1873 Koreans attack a boat of Japan, for no apparent reason, though Japan's history of meddling in Korean affairs is reason enough. Japan uses the encounter as an excuse to force trade on Korea. China urges Korea to protect itself from Russia and Japan by making a treaty with France and the U.S. The king (Kojong) is even thinking of making the US its "elder brother." Evidently the skirmishes of the recent past are going to be forgiven and forgotten.

Finally in 1876, after considering all options thoroughly, the king ratifies the Kangwha Treaty. Korea will no longer be a hermit. Advised strongly by China that it cannot protect Korea, and that Japan wants to conquer it, it is thought best to have treaties of equality with Japan and western nations. Japan is allowed free passage thro Korea, but nothing more.

Six years later the United States becomes the first Western nation to enter into the treaty. Conservatives, those who favor continued isolation, are outraged. Using the dissatisfaction of the military, the Taewongun ( Regent) is brought back from retirement to calm the situation. One item on his agenda is to get rid of his old enemy the queen. She escapes as a peasant woman.

Actually the Americans are concerned about the treaty too. Americans know of "Corea" only through literature which implies that it is too small to take care of itself and should submit to Japan's rule. Why should it be considered an equal to the rising American power?

The Chinese are invited by Korea's conservative party to defend them, and to stop the disturbance in the government. But in coming in in this way they interfere with Korean independence. The clash between protector China and aggressor Japan eventually leads to the China-Japan War. Once more the Regent becomes the ex-regent, and is banished in China for three years. The peasant woman aka the Queen takes her place in the capital city.

The Unites States, far from a perfect nation, is in these days the keeper of the Christian faith. It is intriguing to see how this far-away country becomes more and more involved with the tiny nation in Asia. But it is that involvement that leads to the huge impact Christ and His people will have on the Korean Peninsula for the next 125 years.