Abstract

Starting a Handbook of Modern Korean History with the late nineteenth century will naturally fail to plumb the depths of the rich tapestry that contributes to Korean notions of kingship, state, society, culture, foreign affairs, and a host of other things that populated the minds of nineteenth-century Koreans. It is impossible to attempt a summation at the outset and not commit further violations against historical sensibilities, so the best I can do is to warn the reader that this essay can only suggest a few arguments, warnings, and suggestions about where we are beginning and how ignorant we really are.