Talking Independence

Korean Independence Podcast Transcript:

Introduction:

Hi. This podcast will cover some key arguments and attempts by Korean Delegates to present Korea’s right to independence to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.

At the time of the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, Korea was a part of the Japanese empire. Despite this it had created and read its declaration of independence twice, firstly in Tokyo in February and then in Korea, with the Korean reading being followed by non-violent protests of around 2 million Koreans all across the country known as the March 1^st Movement. Following these events Korean delegates formed a provincial government in Shanghai lead by Syngman Rhee and held a Congress in Philadelphia in mid-April. They also unsuccessfully sent delegates to Paris to participate in the conference, with the majority being blocked by the Japanese or being refused entry once arriving in Paris.

Attempts by Korean Delegates to reach Paris or contact big powers:

I would first like to discuss the attempts by Korean Delegates such as Syngman Rhee to appeal for support from the bigger powers at the conference, but also highlight the efforts of Kim Kyu-sik and Seo Jae-pil to gain international support for Korea’s independence cause.

Syngman Rhee and Henry Chung first wrote to President Wilson on March 3rd, 1919 asking him to quote: 

“present the accompanying memorial to the Peace Conference, and to espouse our cause of freedom at the Peace Table, so that the Allied Powers assembled at the Peace Conference will take such action as to place Korea under the mandatory of the League of Nations with the definite guarantee of complete independence in the future”. (1)

The idea of Korea being placed under a mandate would put the country on the path towards independence, with its claims to self-determination definitive enough to be supported by Chinese leaders and blocked by Japanese delegates.

Rhee appealed again to President Wilson in mid-April during the Korean Congress, this time using Wilsonian principles and classic American values of the time, quote:

“We appeal to you for support and sympathy because we know you love justice; you also fought for liberty and democracy, and you stand for Christianity and humanity. Our cause is a just one before the laws of God and man. Our aim is freedom from militaristic autocracy; our object is democracy for Asia; our hope is universal Christianity. You have already championed the cause of the oppressed and held out your helping hand to the weak of the earth’s races. Your nation is the Hope of mankind, so we come to you.” (2)

Syngman Rhee hoped that Korea’s promotion of Democracy and Christianity in Asia and an emphasis on a Korean American relationship based on American support and guidance, would help increase Wilson’s willingness to aid their cause, with America looking for influence in Asia to prevent Japanese dominance at the time.

Finally, Kim Kyu-sik, after considerable effort, managed to arrange passage secretly with members of the Chinese delegation to the Peace Conference. Chinese Leaders such as Sun Yat-sen, told U.S. diplomats that the peace conference should take up the question of Korean independence and were eager to embarrass the Japanese, but beyond that could do little more for Korea. (3)

Rhee also reached out to both President Wilson and Chairman of the Conference Georges Clemenceau on April 30th, asking them to allow Kim Kyu-sik and Yi Kwan-yong to quote:

“accord these gentlemen the privilege of presenting Korean claims to the Peace Conference.” (4)

Syngman Rhee also sent communications during the Peace Conference to the heads of Great Britain, Italy, France, China and even Japan, in an effort to raise awareness alongside Seo Jae-pil successful media campaign to gain the publics support in America and Europe. 

Korean Independence Arguments

The case for Korean Independence was argued from a legal and moral stand point and a was based on the issue of self-determination within Wilson’s 14 points. This can be seen in Syngman Rhee’s “Appeal to America” draft resolution during the Korean Congress on the 14^th April, 1919, which read quote:

“In the name of humanity, liberty and democracy and in the name of the American-Korean treaty, we ask the government of the United States to exert its good offices to save the lives of our freedom-loving brethren in Korea”. (5)

The legal justification Korea emphasised was centered around the 1882 Treaty of Amity between the United States and Korea, with Korean delegates justifying their countries right to assistance from the United States based on Article I of the Treaty, which read quote:

“If other powers deal unjustly or oppressively with either government, the other will exert their good offices, on being informed of the case, to bring about an amicable arrangement, thus showing their friendly feelings.” (6)

Additionally, Kenneth Wells summarises Korea’s legal claim to independence suggesting that, quote:

“The independence of Korea was recognized by Japan, Russia, Britain, and America in all treaties up to 1905, and the Protectorate itself was expressly stated to be a temporary measure”. (7)

Therefore, Korea’s legal claim to independence is based on the fact it had been recognised by nations at the Paris Peace Conference as independent country before 1905. But also, that the justification for this treaty was based on the proposition that Korea would act only as a defensive buffer to China and Russia during the Russo- Japanese war of 1905 in return for Japanese protection of Korean people temporarily, not indefinitely.

Furthermore, Korean delegates understood that the Paris Peace Conference was supposed to be based on Wilsons 14 points and so built their argument on these points. President Wilson especially would claim to embrace and further the ideals of self-determination, international justice and freedom and wished these ideals to be the basis that all nations would eventually directed their foreign relations from. Nations who failed to do this, would be considered morally wrong by Wilson. (8)

Therefore, if we apply these rules that governed the conference to Korea’s independence argument, it highlights that all the big nations at the Conference failed to comply with Wilsons ideals. President Wilson especially sacrificed Korea for Japanese compliance during the Conference and their support to the League of Nations system. This makes them morally wrong according to Wilsons considerations, in addition to fact that the March 1^st, Movement that was brutally suppressed in Korea was a non-violent struggle based on ethics and justice and I do believe that the failure of Japanese rule in Korea was clearly recognisable to those at the conference.

However, despite the legal and moral arguments made by Korean Delegates, the big powers ultimately didn’t aid Korea in its independence struggle for three simply reasons:

1. Firstly, Korea’s independence claims did not align with big powers personal interests, with Wilsons quest for a League of Nations far more important than aiding an independence struggle that would alienate the strongest and dominant force in Asia from that League. Britain was an ally of Japan and France was preoccupied with Germany.
2. Secondly, the Korean issue would most certainly of caused great tensions between the Western powers and Asia’s strongest power at the conference, something already occurring in China at the time, with America among other nations clearly not willing to pick a second fight with Japan.
3. Thirdly and finally, the Conference deemed Korea’s rights and its treaty claims to be a minor issue, with most concerned about territory and reparations not morality and idealism.

Therefore, while Korea’s independence claims did reach the ears of US senate, they were never discussed with any significance at the Paris Peace Conference, nor was any action taken. Instead their claims were pushed aside and ignored amongst severe Japanese suppression and brutality.

Thank you for listening!