It's interesting about the Korean copy of the French cannon. They were cast in 1874, which was three years after the US battled Korean troops (Today is the 140th anniversary of the first shots fired in that fight). The regent of Korea, the father of the king, was put out of power the year before when his son became old enough to take the throne. Koreans wanted to upgrade their artillery, but the most modern examples they had were the captured French pieces. Late the following year, Japan invaded in the same area the Americans did in 1871, but, unlike the US, were successful in opening up Korea's doors. The United States signed a treaty with Korea in 1882.