The Fall of the Korean Empire and Japan’s Colonization

 

The Korean Empire (대한제국) was the predecessor of both South Korea and North Korea. During its time, there were several efforts to modernize the country. For example, the Gapsin Coup (1884, 갑신정변) was an attempt by young reformers to change the social structure, though it ultimately failed radically. Later, the Gabo Reform (1894-1896, 갑오개혁) was a government-led effort to modernize Korea by adopting ideas from Japan.

 

In 1905, the Korean Empire effectively became a colony of Japan after signing the Eulsa Treaty (을사늑약), which took away its diplomatic rights. Since this treaty played a key role in Korea’s colonization, the five Korean officials who signed it are known as the "Five Eulsa Traitors" (을사오적) and have been heavily criticized by Koreans ever since.

 

With no power to resist, Korea was forced to sign the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty (한일합방조약) in 1910, officially ending the Korean Empire. From then on, the Korean Peninsula was directly ruled by Japan through the Government-General of Korea. The colonial rule under eight different Governors-General is generally divided into three periods: the period of harsh military rule, the cultural rule period, and the policy aimed at erasing Korean identity.