This study examines the progression of the Joseon-Qing diplomacy during the Dorgon regency through diplomatic documents. Dorgon sent diplomatic documents directly to Joseon on two separate occasions. By sending them, Dorgon wished to fulfill his own political goals. In the second year of Emperor Shunzhi’s reign, he sought to intervene in issues regarding the succession to Joseon’s throne and in the seventh year, he succeeded in forming a marital relationship with the royal family of Joseon.
In this course, Dorgon gradually encroached on the emperor's domain. In the second year of Emperor Shunzhi’s reign, he appointed envoys, albeit in the form of a letter, and formally exchanged diplomatic documents with the king of Joseon. In the seventh year, Dorgon utilized an edict that could only be used by the Emperor. The number of envoys dispatched by Dorgon was three, meaning that he sent as many people as the Emperor Shunzhi did, and all the six worked hard for Dorgon’s marriage.
These facts suggest several implications. First of all, in the early years of Qing, the diplomacy with Joseon was heavily influenced by the political variable of the Dorgon regency other than the event of the 'Entering the Pass'. Second, during the Dorgon regency, the diplomacy was marked by variability. Dorgon’s official status as a Prince Regent constrained the diplomatic tools available to him, which continued to change paralleling his political position. Finally, even though the Joseon-Qing Diplomacy under the Dorgon regency did deviate to some extent from the diplomatic order prescribed by the Chongde Reign's Hong taiji edict, it is unreasonable to characterize the diplomatic relationship as a traditional vassal relationship or a typical tribute relationship. In particular, Dorgon's marriage to the royal family of Joseon was reminiscent of his relationship with the Outer-Feudatory Mongols, so there is room for reconsideration.