Seo Hui’s Diplomatic Dexterity
Geopolitically, the Korean peninsula is located where the interests of continental and maritime powers meet. Accordingly, Korea has long been a point of contention in Asia, positioning itself as a center of a tug-of-war among neighboring world powers. Largely owing to the nation’s geopolitical location, the fate of Korea has long been dictated and shaped by diplomatic discretion. Among many notable politicians in Korean history, no other diplomat commands the same respect as Seo Hui from the Goryeo Dynasty, whose diplomatic dexterity contributed greatly to strengthening the nation’s foreign affairs capability.

Seo Hui was born in 942, during the early days of the Goryeo Dynasty. Seo Hui’s father was Seo Pil, a renowned politician who assumed the highest official post of the advisory council for King Gwangjong. Seo Hui passed gwageo, a state examination at the age of 18 and achieved notable feat even in the early stages of his political career. In 982, Seo Hui played an integral role in reestablishing the once-cold relationship between Goryeo and the Song Dynasty of China. Using his diplomatic skills, Seo Hui eloquently explained reasons that prevented Goryeo from sending diplomatic corps to China. Moved by Seo Hui’s tactful speech, Emperor Taizu of Song agreed to establish a friendly relationship with Goryeo.

In addition, Seo Hui exercised great leadership skills when the Khitan forces invaded Goryeo in 993, during the 75th year after the founding of the Goryeo Dynasty. Minister Seo Hui, a man of remarkable diplomatic talent, volunteered to meet with General Xiao Sunning to carry out a direct negotiation. General Xiao Sunning, the commander of 800,000 soldiers, argued that the land of Goguryeo belonged to the Khitans, and that his forces will retreat only if Goryeo ceases to claim ownership of their lands and dispatches an envoy to China. At the time, the Khitans were seeking complete dominance over mainland China. Accordingly, the Khitans wanted to launch assaults against the Song Dynasty, but feared the presence of Goryeo who had begun to reestablish a diplomatic relationship with the Song. The Khitans worried that the internecine conflict may deepen in the long run, and were concerned about the possibility of Goryeo joining hands with the Song Dynasty to conquer the Khitans.

Minister Seo Hui saw through General Xiao Sunning’s intentions to stabilize relationship with the de facto power Goryeo first before invading the Song Dynasty. Seo Hui claimed that Goryeo was also interested in establishing diplomatic relations with the Khitans, and explained that the roads were blocked by the Jurchens east of the Amnok River, which mainly prohibited Goryeo from paying tributes to the Khitans. Using the idea of expelling the Jurchens as a bargaining chip, Seo Hui successfully negotiated a settlement and won Khitan consent to incorporate the region up to the Yalu River into Goryeo territory.

Seo Hui died in 998 at the age of 57. Seo Hui’s great achievement is praised even today—he is remembered not only for his eloquence and brilliant diplomatic skills, but also for his precise understanding of the international situation that helped secure Goryeo’s position in Asia.