Korea–United States Treaty of 1882

Joseon’s first treaty with a Western country, signed with the US at Jemulpo through Qing mediation; it included extraterritoriality and most-favoured-nation terms.

Huang Zunxian’s Strategy for Korea, brought back by the envoy Kim Hong-jip, urged Joseon to hold off Russia by staying close to Qing, allying with Japan and linking with the United States. Li Hongzhang, eager to check Russia and Japan, brokered the treaty signed by Sin Heon and Robert Shufeldt.

Alongside a good-offices clause and extraterritoriality it contained Korea’s first most-favoured-nation clause, as well as tariff provisions. When the first US minister arrived the next year, Joseon sent a mission led by Min Yeong-ik, Hong Yeong-sik and Yu Gil-jun to America. Treaties with Britain, Germany and others followed.