This article is to analyze the details of dispatch of the Japanese’s
Gwanrigwan to Busan and their activities, and is to consider the
recognization of Japan to Chosun and diplomatic policy at the early of
Opening of Port. The Japanese’s Gwanrigwan was the first modern
diplomat residing in Chosun before the dispatch of Japanese consul in
Busan on February 1880. After organizing the system of the Consul in
1871, Japan had sent the consul to abroad. Dispatch a consul was a
general practice to Japan that had sent a consul to 11 cities before the
Opening of Busan Port. But in those days of Opening of Port, due
to the anti-Japanese sentiment Japan had not sent a consul who was
a modern diplomat but a Gwanrigwan who was titled newly.
Gwanrigwan who was sent only to Busan was an unique official name
four men was dispatched at this times, but they had overseas
experiences or activities in Chosun. And most of them had restarted for
their post as a consul of opening ports in Chosun. The first consul
general in Wonsan and Busan was a former Gwanrigwan. Receiving the same treatment of as consul, Gwanrigwan had protected Japanese in
Chosun, promoted the interest of their traders, and discussed diplomatic
issues with Chosun, and performed the proxy task of diplomatic
minister. After all the analysis, the Gwanrigwan who was sent in
Chosun at the early of Opening of Port was working as an advance
guard for settlement of Japanese in Busan and the extension of their
power into Chosun.