Whom do you think of first if you are asked about Korea’s most famous and greatest diplomat? It might be easier to think of another country’s diplomat. Have you ever heard of Seo Hui?
Seo Hui is a famous historical figure who was a great diplomat and politician in the early Goryeo Dynasty. Seo Hui entered government service though the state examination and was promoted quickly. He was soon in charge of a department, which was like today’s Ministry of National Defense. He was sent to Song as an envoy. His career gave Seo Hui the ability to understand well international situations. He played an important diplomatic role. His excellent oratory skills were so great that he persuaded the Khitan’s 80,000 strong army to retreat from Goryeo.
That event was called “diplomacy conversation.” At that time there were three main kingdoms: Goryeo, Song, and Khitan. Goryeo was enforcing a policy to march northward in order to recover the territories of old Goguryeo and to trade with the Song. The Khitans, northward, were getting stronger and expanding their territory. The original intention of the Khitans was to occupy the Song. They approached Goryeo in order to remove the backbone of its power, which was the Song. For this reason, there were often clashes between Goryeo and the Khitans.
When Xian Sun-ning, the general of the Khitan, invaded Goryeo, opinion in Goryeo was divided into two. One opinion was that Goryeo had better surrender completely to the Khitans. The other was that Goryeo had better reconcile with the Khitans by giving them Seokyoung, the capital of Goryeo. At that time, the latter was more popular. However, Seo Hui realized that the Khitans really had no intention to launch a military operation against Goryeo. Seo Hui volunteered to meet with the Khitans. Finally, Seo Hui and Xian Sun-ning sat together.
Xian Sun-ning said, “Goryeo comes from Silla and Goguryeo belongs to our country. Why does Goryeo come over and head north? Therefore we came with troops. If you give me some territory and render tribute to my country, you will be okay.” Seo Hui said, “We made our capital Pyeongyang and named our nation Goryeo because Goryeo comes from Goguryeo.” Xian Sun-ning replied, “Then, why didn't your country trade with our country and why are you friendly with the Song?” Seo Hui answered, “We also want to trade with your country, but it’s more difficult to go to your country than to go to the Song because the Song is between our own and your country. If there was no Song country, why would we not trade with you?”
Xian Sun-ning could not deny Seo Hui's suggestion that Goryeo was the successor to Goguryeo. Seo Hui not only persuaded the Khitan army to make a voluntary withdrawl but he also obtained Khitan agreement to incorporate the area up to the Yalu into Goryeo’s territory. This event was an amazing result because the hostile country for conquest with a strong and powerful army recognized an important location to the other side’s territory. Above all, thanks to acquired experience, Seo Hui won against the Khitans.
Nowadays, it’s still important to negotiate with other countries. However, the case to solve with negotiation is not easy to find. In the case of Dokdo, the territorial dispute between Korea and Japan, we can see that foreign policy has left unsolved problems. I hope many global young people can develop a wide insight and interest in diplomacy, like Seo Hui.
