A Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation (Korean: 조·미수호통상조약, Hanja: 朝美修好通商條約), also known a the Shufeldt Treaty, was negotiated between representatives of the United States and Joseon Korea in 1882.
Contents
The final draft was accepted at Chemulpo (present day Incheon) near the Korean capital of Hanseong (Seoul) in April and May 1884.
Background
In 1876, Korea established a trade treaty with Japan after Japanese ships approached Ganghwado and threatened to fire on the Korean capital city. Treaty negotiations with the Americans and with several European countries were made possible by the completion of this initial Japanese overture.
Negotiations with China were a significant feature of the process which resulted in this treaty.
Treaty provisions
The United States and Korea negotiated and approved a 14 article treaty. The treaty established mutual friendship and mutual assistance in case of attack; and the treaty also addressed such specific matters as extraterritorial rights for American citizens in Korea and most favored nation trade status.
Abstract
The treaty encompasses a range of subjects.
The treaty remained in effect until the annexation of Korea in 1910.
Aftermath
The US treaty established a template which was explicitly modelled in treaties with other Western nations — Germany in 1883, Russia and Italy in 1884, France in 1886, and others as well.
The treaty remained in effect even after the protectorate was established in 1905.