Mr. Allen to Mr. Hay.
Seoul, Korea, December 22, 1899.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that after an interruption of five years, diplomatic relations have again been established between Korea and China.
The treaty, a copy of which I sent you in my No. 215, December 12, between Korea and China, has been finally exchanged, and Mr. Hsu Sou Pung, who negotiated the treaty on the part of China, has taken charge of Chinese interests here as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary. China has also appointed consuls to reside at the Korean ports—Chenampo, Chemulpo, Fusan, and at Seoul. Korea has appointed Mr. Sim Sang Hung to be minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary at Pekin.
Mr. Hsu, the new Chinese minister, was secretary of legation in Washington in 1888, when the first Korean legation was established there.
A public dinner is being given at the Korean foreign office to-night in honor of this resumption of diplomatic relations, the mere negotiations for which have lasted nearly one year.
I have the honor, etc.,