Lecture: ’Sinmiyangyo’ - The 1871 US-Korea Military Conflict 150 Years Later by Thomas Duvernay

Full Title: ’Sinmiyangyo Sesquicentennial: The 1871 US-Korea Military Conflict After 150 Years’ Lecturer: Thomas Duvernay Date: Tuesday, May 25. 07:30PM (Seoul) Summary: In the late spring of 1871, the United States sent five ships of its Asiatic Squadron into Korea waters to make contact. The stated purpose was to obtain a treaty to protect shipwrecked seamen, with a secondary purpose to make a trade treaty if possible. Because of an apparent cultural miscommunication between U.S. and Korean officials, hostilities between U.S. and Korean forces erupted, culminating in the death of 350 Korean troops and three U.S. troops, but with no agreements between the two countries. With supplemental videos, then-and-now photos, and a recounting of the lecturer’s field research, this presentation will look at the battles that took place in early June 1871 and how they are viewed 150 years later. Bio: Thomas Duvernay has a doctorate in Korean studies and is a professor at Yeungnam Uni