This article examines Britain’s response to the question of Korean independence amid Russo-Japanese rivalry between 1903 and 1905. Russo-Japanese tension reached its peak when Russians unilaterally seized and fortified Yongampo in 1903. Britain expected Korea to check the Russian penetration by opening Yongampo and the Yalu River to foreign commerce, but Korea delayed the opening until the country fell under Japanese occupation in March 1904. Korea’s reluctance to open the river also made Britain suspect Korea’s declaration of neutrality. Therefore, when the Russo-Japanese War broke out, Britain acted in cooperation with Japan when they forced Korea to accept Japanese control. Furthermore, since Korea failed to modernise the government, Britain believed that the country should be placed under the control of Japan. Although Kojong and the Korean government were seeking Britain’s support for the integrity of Korea, Britain approved Japan’s plan to make Korea a protectorate and tried to secure their commercial interest in the country.

中文翻译：

---

未实现的期望：英国对朝鲜独立问题的回应，1903-1905

本文考察了英国在​​ 1903 年至 1905 年日俄对抗中对朝鲜独立问题的回应。当俄罗斯人在 1903 年单方面占领并加固龙安浦时，日俄紧张局势达到顶峰。英国希望韩国通过开放龙安浦来遏制俄罗斯的渗透，鸭绿江对外贸易开放，但韩国推迟开放，直到该国于 1904 年 3 月被日本占领。韩国不愿开放这条河流也使英国怀疑韩国宣布中立。因此，当日俄战争爆发时，英国在迫使朝鲜接受日本控制时与日本合作。此外，由于韩国未能实现政府现代化，英国认为该国应置于日本的控制之下。