President Chester A. Arthur Appoints a Representative to Negotiate the Shufeldt Treaty – Korea’s First Treaty with a Western Nation

In late 1881, the United States and the Kingdom of Choson (Korea) determined to establish diplomatic relations. They appointed negotiators, and on May 22, 1882, representatives of the two nations signed a treaty of amity and commerce at Chemulpo, Korea. Commodore R. W. Shufeldt was the negotiator for the United States. The treaty had been negotiated with the assistance of Chinese officials, since China had for many years had influence in Korea’s foreign affairs due to a historical tributary relationship between the two countries. In fact, however, Korea was an independent state and this key fact was acknowledged in the treaty.

This was the first treaty Korea signed with a Western nation. The treaty – called the Shufeldt Treaty, or the Joseon–United States Treaty of 1882 – was a broad one, being a 14 article Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation. The treaty established mutual friendship and mutual assistance in case of attack; and it also addressed such specific matters as extraterritorial rights for U.S. citizens in Korea, most favored nation trade status, protection for shipwrecked sailors, and institution of commerce regulations. The first U.S. diplomatic envoy arrived in Korea in 1883. U.S.-Korea relations continued until 1905, when Japan assumed direction over Korean foreign affairs.

Document signed, as president, Washington, November 15, 1881, with President Arthur appointing the American negotiator for this historic U.S./Korea treaty “I authorize and direct the Secretary of State to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to my letter to His Majesty the Emperor or King of Chosan (Corea) accrediting Commodore R. W. Shufeldt as Plenipotentiary of the United States to conclude a treaty of friendship and commerce, said letter being dated this day and signed by me, and for so doing this shall be his warrant.” Signed boldly at the conclusion by Arthur. The treaty Shufeldt negotiated was ratified and became effective in 1884, and being its first treaty with a western nation, was a landmark for Korea.