alternatehistory.com

After doing a small amount of research on the incident that led to the failed American attempt to establish trade and political ties with the Korea I had an idea for a POD being that the Americans not being so aggressive are able to open successful political and economic ties with Korea. Now I was wondering though could this allow Korea to remain free of Chinese, Japanese, and Russian influence? If Korea let us say is able to pull off a level of quick modernization similar to Japans, could it perhaps in some manner check the growth of Japan as an empire?

Perhaps also Korea opened to modern ideas and technology allows it to become a regional industrial power? Also would it be possible for the US to purchase naval bases in Korea or is that ASB because if the US was able to acquire naval bases it could give the United States a base in which to exert more power in establishing American interests in China. I ask though how far could I take a "Modernized Korea" scenario and is it plausible? Another question is how would you work it out?
Top