Korea under Japanese rule 1910-1945
In the late 1800s, Japan began exerting influence over Korea. Both Korea (Joseon) and Japan had initially embraced isolationist policies, with Joseon functioning as a tributary state of Qing China. However, the Perry Expedition of 1854 forcibly opened Japan to the world, leading to its rapid modernization during the Meiji Restoration. Despite this, Joseon resisted foreign attempts to open up. In 1876, Japan succeeded in opening Korea through the unequal Japan–Korea Treaty.
Following this, Japan engaged in a series of actions to strengthen its hold on Korea. This included defeating local rivals, securing alliances with Western powers, and intervening in events such as the Donghak Peasant Revolution. After the victory over China in the First Sino–Japanese War (1894–1895), Joseon nominally gained independence and declared the short-lived Korean Empire. Japan further solidified its regional dominance by defeating Russia in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905.
With Korea now within its grasp, Japan took strategic steps to fully control the region. The Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905 established Korea as a protectorate, and indirect rule was implemented through the Japanese Resident-General. In 1907, Japan forced Korean Emperor Gojong to abdicate, paving the way for the formal colonization of Korea through the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910. Throughout the colonial period, Korea was administered by the Governor-General of Chōsen, headquartered in Keijō (Seoul), until the eventual end of Japanese rule.