Hwang Sin
Encyclopedia
Hwang Sin was an officer of the Joseon Dynasty
Korea
in 16th and 17th centuries. In 1588, Hwang took first in the final civil service examination
(Mungwa).
He was also Korea
n diplomat
and ambassador
, representing Joseon
interests in a diplomatic mission to the court of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
in Japan.
, the Joseon Court directed that a diplomatic mission to Japan would be dispatched to Kyoto. The Joseon representatives travelled with the Ming ambassadors who traveled to Kyoto to meet with Hideyoshi. The chief envoy of this Joseon delegation was Hwang sin.
The purpose of this embassy was negotiating end of hostilities on the Korean peninsula and withdrawal of invading Japanese forces. Hwang also hoped to arrange for the repatriation of more than 5,000 prisoners. However, the venture served only to arouse Hideyoshi's anger; and as a consequence, the Japanese forces were increased rather than reduced. Although diplomacy was intended to help move Joseon and Japan towards more normal relations, the mission was not understood to signify that relations were "normalized."
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
in 16th and 17th centuries. In 1588, Hwang took first in the final civil service examination
Gwageo
The gwageo were the national civil service examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea. Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' knowledge of the Chinese classics, and sometimes also of technical subjects...
(Mungwa).
He was also Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
, representing Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
interests in a diplomatic mission to the court of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
in Japan.
1596-1597 mission to Japan
In the 23rd year of the reign of King SeonjoSeonjo of Joseon
King Seonjo ruled in Korea between 1567 and 1608. He was the fourteenth king of the Joseon Dynasty. He is known for encouraging Confucianism and renovating state affairs at the beginning of his reign, although political chaos and his incompetent leadership during the Japanese invasions of Korea...
, the Joseon Court directed that a diplomatic mission to Japan would be dispatched to Kyoto. The Joseon representatives travelled with the Ming ambassadors who traveled to Kyoto to meet with Hideyoshi. The chief envoy of this Joseon delegation was Hwang sin.
The purpose of this embassy was negotiating end of hostilities on the Korean peninsula and withdrawal of invading Japanese forces. Hwang also hoped to arrange for the repatriation of more than 5,000 prisoners. However, the venture served only to arouse Hideyoshi's anger; and as a consequence, the Japanese forces were increased rather than reduced. Although diplomacy was intended to help move Joseon and Japan towards more normal relations, the mission was not understood to signify that relations were "normalized."