Korean invasion of Manchuria

From the 1860s, Koreans living in Hamgyong Province moved to Jiandao to avoid famine.[1] In 1885 and 1887, Qing and Joseon had conferences about their borders. Qing desired to expel Koreans living in Jiandao. However, these conferences between the two governments were not successful in concluding the issues of Jiandao. [2]

Struggle about Jiandao was heightened after the proclamation of the Korean Empire. Several presses such as Jeguk Sinmun, and Tongnip Sinmun addressed problems of people and territory again.[1] Moreover, Observer of the North Hamgyung Province Cho Chon-woo reported that because the Tomun river flows past the Jeung mountain, and to the Songhua River, East to the Tomun river, and South to the Jeung mountain belongs to Korea.[3]

When the Russian military forces captured Manchuria during the Boxer Rebellion, Korea sought it as an opportunity to solve the border conflicts with Qing. At the south of the Tumen River, Korea established Jinwidae and police officers. [4] Korea deployed a battalion with 150 soldiers in Jongseung, 200 soldiers in Musan County, 200 soldiers in Hoeryong, 100 more soldiers in Jongseung, 100 soldiers in Onsong County, and 50 soldiers in Kyongwon County. Jinwidae's border defense was rigorous, so Qing officials could not control Koreans anymore. As the police forces were deployed in Jiandao, the purpose of Jinwidae was changed to the security of the borders. [5]

The police office was established in March 1901. Two hundred police officers were deployed in Jiandao. The police office divided Jiandao into five subdivisions: North Jiandao, Jongseong Jiandao, Hoeryong Jiandao, Musan Jiandao, and Gyeongwon Jiandao.[6] In 1902, Korea deployed Yi Bum-yun as the Observer to Jiandao to increase their control over the territory.[1]

Yi realized that without violence, protecting Koreans was impossible; therefore, he decided to establish a volunteer army.[7] From September 1903, Yi started to show an armed force and dug extensive trenches between Bongcheon (which is now Shenyang), Manchuria, and Jilin, and Gando. He employed Russian instructors to train the army and purchased 500 guns from Seoul.[8] The Korean government supported the volunteer army of Yi because of Gojong's desire to control Jiandao and the support of Yi Yong-ik.[9] According to a Qing official, the violence of the Korean army was the following. On 4 September 1903, 1,000 Korean soldiers passed the Yalu River. These Korean soldiers burned and plundered Chinese territory across the Yalu River. On 2 October 1903, 700-800 Korean soldiers invaded a County office in Linjiang people.[10] To prevent further conflict with China, the Korean government summoned Yi in 1904.[7] Yi disobeyed the order of the Korean government, and instead, he led his forces to Primorsky Krai, where he joined many Korean independence activists such as Choe Jae-hyeong and An Jung-geun.[11]

After the invasion, Koreans started to recognize Jiandao as the territory of Korea. The Korean Daily News addressed Jiandao as the territory of Korea. In the map of Korea in 1907, Jiandao was included as the territory of Korea. However, as Japan started to interfere border problem in Manchuria, the Korean Daily News changed its stance. Professor Yi Tae-jin of Seoul University asserted that Koreans viewed the Japanese interference as an invasion since the Japanese and Russians were fighting in the Russo-Japanese War. The dispute ended with the Gando Convention signed by Japan.[12] By the Gando Convention, China claimed Jiandao again.[7]

Ryu, Byeong-ho (2002). "在滿韓人의 國籍問題 硏究(1881~1911) = (A)study on the issues of nationality concerning Korean people in Manchu territory, 1881-1911". 중앙대학교 대학원: 사학과 한국사전공 2002 – via RISS.

Yi, Myeong-jong (2013). "대한제국기 간도영토론의 등장과 종식". 한양대학교 동아시아문화연구소 – via KCI.

• Boxer Rebellion
• Military of the Korean Empire
  • Jinwidae
• Gando