Research Institute for Local Companionship Platform Discussion Forum

- Incheon National University's Research Institute for Local Companionship Platform hosts a discussion on 『Revisiting the 150th Anniversary of the Unyo Maru Incident and the Memory of Incheon's Yeongjong Region』

- The event highlighted that the Unyo Maru Incident was a historic tragedy and strategic event that occurred not only in Ganghwa but also at Yeongjongjin, and publicized the need to re-examine the meaning of the Treaty of Ganghwa, investigate and identify the victims, and prepare measures to honor them on its 150th anniversary.

Incheon National University (President Lee In-jae) announced that its Research Institute for Local Companionship Platform (Director, Professor Hong Jin-bae) held the 21st Regional Issues Discussion Forum at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 12th, on the first floor of the Yeongjong History Museum on Yeongjong Island.

This forum was part of the ‘1875 Unyo Maru Incident 150th Anniversary Commemoration’ and was hosted by The Committee for the 150th Anniversary Commemoration of the Yeongjongjin Unyo Maru Incident and jointly organized by the Incheon National University's Research Institute for Local Companionship Platform, the RISE Project Group, the Yeongjongjin Memorial Project Association, and Yeongjong Island residents' groups.

The forum was arranged to shed light on the historical background of the Unyo Maru Incident that occurred on Yeongjong Island in 1875, the diplomatic significance of the Treaty of Ganghwa, and the local historical value and resident life of Yeongjong Island from multiple perspectives.

In the first presentation, Research Fellow Shin Hyo-seung (from the Institute of International Relations at the Northeast Asian History Foundation) presented on 「The Unyo Maru Incident and the Strategic Position of Yeongjongjin」. Shin reviewed the strategic importance of the West Sea routes and Yeongjongjin in the late Joseon Dynasty and scientifically analyzed the impact of maritime environmental factors, such as ocean currents, on warship operations.

The second presenter, Professor Kim Heung-soo (from the Division of General Studies at Hongik University), presented on 「The Unyo Maru Incident and the Meaning of the Treaty of Ganghwa」. Professor Kim newly revealed that the Unyo Maru Incident was orchestrated by the Japanese government, not just the navy, and analyzed the initial report by Captain Inoue Yoshika to uncover the progression of the event and the manipulation in the official report. He also emphasized that, contrary to the later assessment of the Treaty of Ganghwa (Japan–Korea Treaty of Amity) as an unequal treaty, there was an active response from Joseon within the diplomatic realities of the time.

Third, Professor Lim Hak-seong (from the Department of History at Inha University) presented on 「The Local Community and Lifestyles of Residents of Yeongjong Island」. By analyzing the <1867 Yeongjongdo Household Register>, the only existing pre-modern household register in Incheon, he specifically detailed the social structure and lifestyles of Yeongjong Island residents in the mid-19th century.

The comprehensive discussion was moderated by Dr. Kang Ok-yeop (Director at the Incheon Jung-gu Cultural Foundation), with Professor Min Jang-won (Department of Humanities, Republic of Korea Naval Academy), Bae Seong-su (Head of the Artifacts Management Department, Incheon Metropolitan City Museum), and Jang Gyeong-jun (Head of the Exhibition and Education Office, National Incheon Maritime Museum) participating as panelists.

The participants discussed the historical significance of the Unyo Maru Incident and Yeongjong Island from various angles and explored future directions for local history research. Dr. Kang Ok-yeop concluded the discussion by summarizing the following points: ① It was confirmed that the Unyo Maru Incident was a clash between Joseon's inadequate maritime defense and Japan's aggressive intentions, which became the catalyst for the signing of an unequal treaty. ② The necessity of organizing data on the military status and defense system of Yeongjongjin was emphasized. ③ The forum re-examined that the inequality of the Treaty of Ganghwa is a later assessment and that there is a gap with the reality of the time. ④ It was evaluated that the discovery of the <1867 Yeongjongjin Household Register> provided a starting point for restoring the lifestyles of Yeongjong Island residents. Furthermore, historical tasks for the new ‘Yeongjong-gu,’ scheduled to be established in July 2026, were proposed, including preparing measures for the return of the descendants of Yeongjong Island's original inhabitants from 150 years ago and the need to investigate and promote a memorial project for the victims of the Unyo Maru Incident.

The event concluded with the expectation that it would serve as an opportunity for Incheon citizens to enhance their understanding and interest in local history and to re-examine the historical identity of Yeongjong Island. Incheon National University's Research Institute for Local Companionship Platform plans to continue operating forums to research local community issues and discuss them with citizens.