Imsin Treaty

Overview

The Imsin Treaty (壬申約條) was a treaty concluded in 1512 (7th year of King Jungjong) between Joseon and the Lord of Tsushima. It reopened relations that had been severed by the Samp'o Waeran of 1510, but imposed conditions far stricter than those of the Gyehae Treaty of 1443.

Background of Conclusion

Immediately after the Samp'o Waeran, Joseon cut off trade with Tsushima. Tsushima depended heavily on trade with Joseon for food and daily necessities, and therefore suffered a severe blow. In 1511, envoy Hōchū, sent on behalf of the Shogunate side, brought a letter from the Ōuchi clan and requested reconciliation and the resumption of relations with Tsushima. When the Lord of Tsushima executed the ringleaders of the Samp'o Waeran and sent them to Joseon, and returned Koreans who had been taken captive, Joseon agreed to resume relations in 1512.

Main Contents

The gist of the nine articles, as summarized by Encyclopedia of Korean History (Uri Yeoksa Net) and the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, is as follows.

1. Japanese are not permitted to reside in the three ports; of the three ports, only Jepo is opened.
2. The number of trade ships of the Lord of Tsushima is reduced from the previous 50 to 25.
3. The amount of rice and beans (sesamido) is reduced from the previous 200 seok to 100 seok.
4. The system of special envoy ships is abolished.
5. Various privileges previously granted to relatives and others of the Lord of Tsushima are abolished.
6. Ships that do not follow the designated routes and procedures are treated as Japanese pirates (wokou) and punished.
7. Requests for trade from forces on the Japanese mainland are also restricted according to the regulations.
8. The ports and sea routes that may be entered are restricted.
9. Carrying weapons is prohibited for anyone other than royal envoys.

Aftermath

The Imsin Treaty caused great difficulties for Tsushima's economy, and Tsushima subsequently requested the relaxation of conditions several times. Joseon later partly relaxed the conditions, including reopening Busanpo. However, when the Saryangjin Japanese Disturbance occurred in 1544, relations were restricted again, and this conflict led to the Eulmyo Japanese Disturbance in 1555.

Significance

The Imsin Treaty was a measure that greatly reduced the scope of Joseon's early-period relations with Japan, and Uri Yeoksa Net evaluates it as a turning point in the collapse of the early Joseon tributary and trade system with Japan.

References