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Japan - Korea Treaty of 1876
Also known as the "Japanese - Korea Treaty of Amity" in Japan, the treaty was mostly designated to open Korea up to Japanese trade. It forced three Korean ports open to Japanese trade, and granted special rights to Japanese citizens in Korea. As a result of the treaty, many Japanese merchants showed up in Bosan, and it became the main center for commerce and foreign trade. This also led to Japan publishing Korea's first newspaper, the Chosen Shinpo, in 1881, written by Japanese officials. -
The Imo Incident (The Mutiny of 1882)
Heungseon Daewongun, the King's father, was opposed to the Japanese being in Korea, and help organize the Mutiny of 1882, an anti-Japanese outbreak against the Korean Queen Min and her allies. The Korean forces, also called the "Old Military", killed Japanese policemen, students, and some Min clan members. He then was taken by Chinese troops and dispatched to Seoul to prevent further disruption. In August of 1882, the treaty recognized and spent 500 000 yen restoring the Japanese government. -
The Assassination of Queen Min
The Japanese minister of Korea, Miura Goro, made a plot against Queen Min. She was killed by Japanese agents. In 2001, some of the Russian document reports on the incident were found in the archives in the Foreign Ministry of Russian Federation. They included the testimony of the king, witnesses of the assassination, and a report to the Foreign Minister of Russia. According to Russian eyewitnesses, the agents entered the palace, killed Queen Min, and dumped her body in the North Wing. -
Proclamation of the Korean Empire
Korean activists established the Independence Club in 1896. They said Korea should negotiate with western countries, mainly Russia, to help deal with the problem of the Japanese's growing influence. They destroyed the Yeongeunmun, a Chinese gate where Chinese envoys had been brought in. They helped construct Independence Gate, and held meetings in the streets, demanding democratic justice. The club was diminished on December 28, 1898 as the new Emperor announced a ban on unofficial congresses. -
Japan - Korea Annexation Treaty (Military Police Reign Era)
On August 22, 1910, Japan annexed Korea with this treaty, signed my the Prime Minister of Korea. It was effective immediately and was in print the following week. It stated: His Majesty the Emperor of Korea concedes completely and definitely his entire sovereignty over the whole Korean territory to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. His Majesty the Emperor of Japan accepts the concession stated in the previous article and consents to the annexation of Korea to the Empire of Japan. -
Pre-World War 2 (1910 - 1941)
By 1910, 7-8% of all land in Korea was under Japanese control. The ratio increased the highest in 1916, 1920, and 1932. Most of the landlords in Korea were Japanese, and the tenants were Korean.
In 1925, the Japanese Government created the Korean History Compilation Committee. They collected historical Korean items and artifacts to help keep Korea's culture. -
Anti-Chinese Riots of 1931
These riots started because of public anger against the treatment of Korean migrants in Manchuria. In July 1931, Koreans attacked residents in both Korea and Japan. The Chinese said 146 were killed, 546 were wounded, and many properties were destroyed. The Chinese then blamed the government for letting such a thing happen. The Japanese government then said the riots were sudden, and that they dealt with them as soon as they could. As a result the Minister of Foreign Affairs lost his position.
