 The Korean government immediately after the opening of the country to the outside world, pursued a policy of enlightenment aimed at achieving national prosperity and military strength through the doctrine of "tongdo sŏgi", or Eastern ways and Western machines.To modernize their country, the Koreans tried selectively to accept and master Western technology while preserving their country's cultural values and heritage.After the Treaty of Ganghwa was signed, the court dispatched Kim Ki-su, a respected scholar and official to head a mission to Japan.