King Kojong sees his first Europeans in the 1880's: A Mr. Moellendorff advises in foreign affairs, helps initiate many reforms, and - alas - persuades Korea to ally with Russia who is all too glad to comply. The Chinese are outraged, having had such a "motherly" relationship to Chosun through the years. In very un-motherly fashion, she brings in troops.

Nevertheless 1883 sees more advances in Korea than "in any year before or since." During that year there is a treaty with the United States, which leads to a Korean envoy being sent there, a whaling partnership with Japan, a farm model set up that is patterened after the American one, a German treaty, and a British treaty.

None of this is without cost. By 1884, a clear distinction has developed between the conservative and progressive way of thinking. The former group still insists on calling in the Chinese, returning to the old ways, getting rid of foreigners. This dilemma of nations has always been, and always will be. When is change good? When is it evil? When is it just change? Our own nation experiences this very issue at the present time.

In 19th century Korea, the actuality is that all this talk of change leads to serious division. The Min family is conservative. The ex-regent is likewise a serious stumblingblock to progress, be that good or evil. The present King and his Queen are progressives, although the queen leans toward the Min influence.

And the people as a whole? They mainly want the new things to go away. Leave us alone. We've been this way for millennia. Change is too fast, too much.

So in order for the minority, even though King-based, to continue with Moellendorf's progressive policies, the government must side with Japan for military backing. But Japan is threatened by the recent move toward Russia. And Moellendorf favors Russia because he fears Japan's ambitions.

Once more Korea is in the middle, being used to keep a precarious balance of power in order.

A crisis is brewing. It's due. It's even being planned. To bring all these matters to a head, the Japanese one evening, arriving by invitation at a dinner party, start killing key government people, and attempt a coup. The King is not aware of what is going on and is arrested by the Japanese.

His son, Prince Kunmung, is very aware of the happenings, as he is a party to the plan. Having studied in Japan, he seriously wants reform to come to his land. He flees to Japanese territory and stays there ten years.

Immediately the government is re-populated and reconstructed so as to favor the "progressive" cause, and of course the cause of Japan.

Chinese troops on hand confront the Japanese. The King is quickly rescued to the Chinese side. But there is simply not enough strength of force in the Chinese military to do any more. The Japanese demand and receive an apology. But they too are not strong enough at this time to work their will in Korea. By 1885, they and the Chinese evacuate Korea and promise never to return... without notifying the other.