A Study on the Modern Lighthouse of Busan Harbor in the late Joseon Dynasty after Opening Port

Ahn, Woong-Hee

Journal of Navigation and Port Research 2014;38(5):541-547.
Published online October 31, 2014.

조선말 개항기 부산항의 근대식 등대에 관한 연구

안웅희

A Study on the Modern Lighthouse of Busan Harbor in the late Joseon Dynasty after Opening Port

Woong-Hee Ahn

Abstract

Busan was known firstly to the western world in the end of 18th century. When the Joseon opened a port under the western powers in the late 19th century, Busan was an important port. The increasing number of international ship exchange had magnified the harbor facility and the importance of lighthouses of Busan port. Busan maritime customs officer were in charge of installation and management of lighthouses. The operations of maritime customs became historical origin of Joseon changing from feudal society to modern nation. The majority of the documents from maritime customs was disappeared. So it was hard to know the exact history. But investigating documents and papers of Joseon, even media records will enable us to establish the objective fact relations. Moreover, published and translated data from the past make it possible such investigations. As a result, modern lighthouse of Busan harbor in the late Joseon after opening port was could be found. It could be offered to establishing the Korean modern history as the objective data.

Key Words: open a port;Busan harbor;Maritime Customs;harbour facility;lights of Busan;old maps of Busan;modern lighthouse