Riots in 1510 by Japanese citizens residing in the Joseon port cities Dongnae, Changwon and Ulsan
The 1510 Sampo Waeran led Joseon to close its treaty ports and sever trade with Japan, ultimately forcing stricter diplomatic terms via the Imshin Treaty.
Key Facts
- Year
- 1510
- Affected ports
- Dongnae, Changwon, Ulsan
- Joseon commander killed
- Commander of Busan (Busan Cheomsa)
- Joseon commander kidnapped
- Commander of Jepo (Jepo Cheomsa)
- Resulting treaty
- Imshin Treaty (壬申約條)
- Fortress besieged
- Ungcheon Fortress
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Japanese residents, known as Waegwan settlers, had long inhabited the three Joseon treaty ports of Dongnae, Changwon, and Ulsan under regulated conditions. Growing tensions over trade restrictions and living conditions fueled discontent among these communities, eventually erupting into open violence in April 1510.
Japanese settlers in the Sampo region rioted, killing the Commander of Busan, kidnapping the Commander of Jepo, besieging Ungcheon Fortress, and plundering surrounding villages. Joseon government forces were mobilized and suppressed the uprising, restoring order to the three ports.
Joseon closed all three Sampo ports and severed diplomatic and trade relations with Japan. Tsushima domain suffered severe hardship due to the loss of supplies and petitioned for renewed trade. The two parties eventually concluded the Imshin Treaty under stricter conditions and reduced quotas, reshaping Korean–Japanese relations.
Political Outcome
Joseon suppressed the riots, closed the Sampo ports, and cut relations with Japan; trade was later resumed under the stricter Imshin Treaty.
Japanese residents held regulated settlement rights in three Joseon ports under existing trade agreements.
Ports closed, prior agreements voided, and trade resumed only under reduced quotas and stricter terms of the Imshin Treaty.