Korean Westernization?

Is there anyway for Korea to westernize (similar possibly to Japan) before it gets absorbed by Japan (and would this possibly make Japan's annexation harder?)
 
Is there anyway for Korea to westernize (similar possibly to Japan) before it gets absorbed by Japan (and would this possibly make Japan's annexation harder?)

It was possible for Korea to be somewhat on par with Japan, or at least not get absorbed at all, or be seen as too much of a nuisance for Japan to bother with.

Let's say the British see Perry's exhibition to Japan in '54 as a threat to their monopoly in the East and go for Korea instead. Korea modernises at a slower rate than Japan, but by the time Japan has any expansionist interests, attacking Korea would be political suicide.
 
The OP didn't call for having to be on par with Japan. Furthermore, all three incidents which you mentioned are just too insignificant (except for the French plundering) for there to be any change to or protection of Joseon.

OP stated "possibly similar to Japan," and anything twenty-odd years after Meiji isn't going to allow for Korea to have enough time to play catch-up.

Either the French or American expeditions could have easily led to something more with the correct POD. Making the Joseon a French or American protectorate that breaks away later would certainly lead to Westernization, and if the Koreans break away they'd be well positioned to play Japan's OTL role ITTL on East Asia.
 
If Russia wins the Russo-Japanese War (or at least causes a stalemate so that Japan cannot win), then it could delay any attempt by Japan to annex Korea. Korea was slowly modernizing by them, and if neither Japan or Russia dominates the region, Korea could retain its independence by balancing the two powers. By 1920-30, Korea could be modernized and powerful enough to retain its independence absent an outright invasion and serious war.
 
If Russia wins the Russo-Japanese War (or at least causes a stalemate so that Japan cannot win), then it could delay any attempt by Japan to annex Korea. Korea was slowly modernizing by them, and if neither Japan or Russia dominates the region, Korea could retain its independence by balancing the two powers. By 1920-30, Korea could be modernized and powerful enough to retain its independence absent an outright invasion and serious war.

This sounds logical - Korea would be to Russia and Japan what Siam was to Britain and France. Benefit from both, but lose out to neither.
 
There are geographical reasons why Korea is less vulnerable to gunboat diplomacy than Japan, which makes things somewhat more difficult.
 
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