Just before concluding the Joseon-Japan Treaty in 1876, Envoy Mori Arinori(森有禮) of Japan was sent to Qing. He quoted a 19th century English jurist, Robert Phillimore’s Commentaries upon International Law, comparing Joseon’s international legal status with Egypt and Serbia. Phillimore categorized the state as largely one or more States under One Sovereign and Several States under a Federal Union. In addition, it is classified as one or more States under One Sovereign, a state under one Sovereign, a real union, a personal union, and a state paying tribute as standing in a Feudal relation to other States-The Turkish Province, etc. It is worth noting here that the state paying tribute was maintaining Feudal Relations with the Ottoman Turks. There were Tunisia and Tripoli in Africa and Montenegro, Moldavia, Wallachia and Serbia in Europe, and there was separately Egypt. Phillimore called them de facto independent states. Nonetheless, the Western powers recognized Ottoman Turks’ Suzeraineté for them. Mori Arinori called Joseon as Independent State by referring to Phillimore’s Commentaries upon International Law. However, taking as an example the fact that it is the Dependent State of Qing, he insisted sending Consul rather than dispatching Minister by treating like Serbia under the Suzeraineté of Ottoman Turks. This was a sign that Japan would not recognize Joseon as an independent state, even though Japan concluded a treaty with Joseon.