뭴렌도르프 ; 조선 최초 고문관의 역사적 역할

Abstract

Paul Georg von Möllendorff came to Korea in December 1882 as the first Western adviser to Joseon court and made great impacts on Korea's diplomacy and modernization. With the confidence of Gojong, he became the vice-minister of the Foreign Office. he also was appointed as the head of Korean Maritime Customs Service to establish the institution and operate it. In addition, he also took charge of Jeonhwanguk and transferred a German technology system to Joseon for the first time. With this technology, he directed to mint Dangojeon. Möllendorff also involved in the various modernization projects including telegraph industry and education while he assisted Joseon court in signing treaties with other Powers. He became the center of the Joseon's modernization and he made a good start for this projects. However, Möllendorff received a negative views from many Koreans due to the responsibilities for the collapse of Joseon. Those criticism generally came from the views that Möllendorff was responsible for the failure of the reform proposed by the Progressive Party by maintaining political alliance with the conservative Min faction. At the same time, his diplomatic project of the pro-Russian policy was the prelude for the collapse of Joseon. Still, Möllendorff took the position of pro-Mins because he believed that the massive reform program of Japanese style could not work in Joseon. Möllendorff did not keep the alliance with Min faction for his political gain. Also, he believe that the pro-Russia policy was the best option for Joseon to maintain its independence since he understood Asian diplomatic system well. Hulbert Homer, who lived same period stated that Joseon needed ten people like Möllendorff to achieve its goal. Like Hulbert, Möllendorff needed to be viewed more objectively as a German advisor who did his best for the diplomacy and modernization of Joseon.