Reception Official (Joseon)

• Korean: 宣慰使 (Seonwisa / Sŏnwisa)

Reception Official was an official administrative post within the government of Joseon Korea. Reception Officials acted as chief representative of the king of Joseon in the formal reception of envoys from the Ming or Qing emperors, from Japan and the Ryukyu Kingdom, and from the governor of Tsushima. Interactions with Tsushima were a slightly later addition into the portfolio of this post, being added in 1461.

Though Reception Officials typically operated only within Korea, not traveling to China, Japan, or Ryukyu in the course of their duties, Reception Officials did travel to Tsushima four times between 1461 and 1487. On these occasions, the Official conveyed the royal court's congratulations or condolences on, for example, the death of the governor of Tsushima or on the succession of his successor; the Official also engaged in discussions with the governor or his men regarding Tsushima's relations with the royal court.

References

• Kenneth Robinson, “An Island’s Place in History: Tsushima in Japan and in Choson, 1392–1592,” Korean Studies 30 (2006), pp50, 52-53.