Week 3: Intro to KS

The Japanese Colonial Period Dr Ji-yoon An

When does the Japanese
Colonial Period start in
Korea?
• 1897:
Joseon is made into an empire with King Goyong becoming
the first emperor of Joseon
• 1905:
The Japanese Protectorate is (forcibly) signed, in effect
giving Japan political power over Korea
• 1910:
Prime Minister Yi Wan-yong signs the Treaty of Annexation,
marking the end of the 518 years of Joseon dynasty
• 1919:
The March First movement (instigated by the death of King
Gojong) reignites national sentiments and starts a new
phrase of colonialism
 Why is the Colonial
Period Important?
• The loss of sovereignty kindled Korean nationalism
in a way like no other  stimulating Korean
national identity and political consciousness
• The cultural “educational” policies of the Japanese
created ideological division among elites and
general population
• Moreover, the co-optive political control policies
exasperated internal cleavages, even up until today
( 친일파 )
• Post-liberation/Cold War context: the denial of a
decolonisation process has made Korea’s history
with Japan fraught with contradictions
The Colonial Period (1910-
1945)
1) The First Decade: “The Dark Period” (1910-1919)
• “Dark” because policies were harsh

2) The Second Phase: “The Cultural Period” (1919-1938)

• A softer approach began with cultural gatherings being tolerated
• A consequence of the 1919 March First movement

3) The Last Period: “Forced Assimilation, Mobilization, and War”

(1938-1945)
• As obvious from the name, men (and women) were forced into
war and the society began strong assimilation policies, where
much of traditional Korean culture was eradicated
 Internally:
• Even preceding official annexation, anti-Japanese sentiments
had been strong:
• History of internal divide between those who believed in
following Japan’s model of “enlightenment” and those
who believed in following the safe Chinese protection
• With the signing of the protectorate, the “Righteous
Preceding the Army” (Ui-byeong) arose as guerrilla fighters under the
leadership of hidden local literati

Colonial Externally:
• Political and economic position of Japan:
Period • Having won the first Sino-Japanese war (1894-5) and the
Russo-Japanese war (1904-05), Japan had solidified
international position and had been recognized for its
ascendancy to Korea
• With its understanding with US (Taft-Katsura
Memorandum, 1905) and the UK (Anglo-Japanese
alliance, 1902), Japan had international “backing”
 Key Events I
• United States expedition to Korea in 1871:
• Took place predominantly on and around Ganghwa Island in 1871
• US wanted support to negotiate trade and political relations with the nation
• Also enquired about the fate of the merchant ship General Sherman, which had gone missing
while visiting Korea in 1866
• When US ignored Korean officials that they were not interested in a trade treaty, armed
conflict ensued
• Over 200 Korean troops died, with a loss of only 3 US soldiers
• Korea maintained its isolationist policy and refused to negotiate with the US until 1882
• Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876 (Treaty of Ganghwa Island):
• Similar tactic to USL Japan sent a gunboat to survey the waters, resulting in open fire, but met
with superior Japanese firepower
• Japanese sent fierce reinforcement to protect their residents in the area
• Designed to open up Korea to Japanese trade, and a treaty signed granting rights to Japan in a
similar way to those granted Western powers in Japan 
• Treaty attempted to end Korea's status as a protectorate of China: labelling Korea a “free
state”
• It forced open three Korean ports to Japanese trade, as well as granting extraterritorial
rights to Japanese citizens
• Known to be unequal treaty signed under duress (gunboat diplomacy) of the Ganghwa Island
incident of 1875
• After treaty, Japanese merchants came freely to Busan, which became the centre for foreign
trade and commerce
Ep. 1:
Gwanghwa
Island Battle
(47.03-42.40)
 Key Events II
• Imo Incident 1882:
• Clash between regent Daewongun (isolationist against any concessions to Japan or the
West) vs Queen Min and her allies
• An anti-Japanese outbreak against Queen Min and her allies
• The trigger for the riot is largely attributed to a reaction about unpaid soldiers wages, who
found sand and bad rice in soldiers' rations (soldiers were paid in rice at the time)
• The revolt broke out in part because of King Gojong/Queen Min's support for reform and
modernization. The revolt was also a reaction to Gojong's support for Japanese military
advisors.
• The Daewongun's forces, or "old military", killed a number of Japanese and attacked the
Japanese diplomats, policemen, students (and some Min clan members were also killed)
• In response, in 1882, reparations were paid to the families of Japanese victims and also
allowed a company of Japanese guards to be stationed at the Japanese legation in Seoul
(known as the Treaty of Jemulpo or the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1882)
• Gapsin Coup 1884:
• Like Daewongun vs Queen Min, there was also Korean independence faction vs
Conservative faction
• Korean independence faction = Japan support
• Conservatives = Chinese support
• In December 1884, Independence faction, assisted by the Japanese, attempted a coup to
establish a pro-Japanese government under the reigning king, dedicated to the
independence of Korea from Chinese suzerainty
• The coup was put down by Chinese troops: Japanese expansion into Korean economy
halted for a while
• Both countries agreed to withdraw their military from Korea, with prior notice in future if
troops are sent again
 Key Events III
• Donghak Revolution 1894
• Donghak peasant revolution in 1894 was the result of oppression
from the Confucian feudal system
• Korean government asked for Chinese assistance to end the revolt
• In response, Japanese leaders, citing a violation of the Tianjin
Convention between Chin and Japan (Gapsin Coup 1884), decided
upon military intervention to challenge China!
• This led to the…
• First Sino-Japanese War 1894-95
• A conflict between the Qing dynasty of China and the Empire of Japan
over the influence of Joseon 
• More than six months of unbroken successes by Japanese land and
naval forces
• For the first time, regional dominance in East Asia shifted from China
to Japan!
 Key Events IV
• Assassination of Queen Min in 1895
• After Japan's victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, Joseon Korea came under
the Japanese sphere of influence. The Empress advocated stronger ties between
Korea and Russia in an attempt to block Japanese influence in Korea
• The Japanese Minister to Korea at that time backed the faction headed by the
Daewongun, whom he considered to be more sympathetic to Japanese interests
• Under Daewongun, a group of former samurai, specifically recruited for this
purpose, infiltrated and assassinated the Empress in the palace
• Domestically, the assassination prompted anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea  
• Emperor Gojong and the crown prince (later Emperor Sunjong of Korea) fled to
the Russia legation in 1896 for one year
• Independence Club and Proclamation of the Korean Empire in 1897
• Korean activists established the Independent Club ( 독립협회 ) in 1896, who
claimed Korea should negotiate with Western powers, particularly Russia, to
counterbalance the growing influence of Japan
• They demanded democratic reforms for Korea to become a constitutional
monarchy, and an end to Japanese and Russian influence in Korean affairs.
• The club was dissolved as Gojong, instead proclaimed the founding of the
Korean Empire: a partial modernization and westernization of Korea's military,
economy, land system, and education system, and of various industries
 Key Events V
• Russo-Japanese War 1904-05
• Seeing Russia as a rival, Japan offered to recognize Russian dominance in
Manchuria in exchange for recognition of Korea being within the Japanese
sphere of influence
• Russia refused and the Japanese government perceived a threat to their plans
for expansion into mainland Asia and chose to go to war
• The war also marked the first victory of an Asian country against a Western
power in modern times!
• Japanese Protectorate of 1905
• After eliminating Japan's last rival to Korea, two months after the Russo-J War,
Korea was obliged to become a Japanese protectorate and Japan’s "reforms"
were enacted:
• Reducing the Korean Army from 20,000 to 1,000 men
• Police matters of Seoul were controlled by the Japanese military force
• A Japanese police inspector will be placed in each prefecture
• Hague Secret Emissary Affair in 1907
• Emperor Gojong secretly sent three representatives to bring the problems of
Korea to the world's attention at the Second Peace Conference in The Hague 
• The three envoys were refused access to the public debates by the
international delegates
• In response, the Japanese government forced Emperor Gojong to relinquish his
imperial authority and appoint the Crown Prince as regent.
The First Decade: “The Dark Period” (1910-1919)
• Terauchi Masatake, first Governor-General (1910-16) legitimated Japanese rule by asserting a natural affinity between Korean and
Japanese people
• Historical and cultural ties between the two countries emphasized with aim of assimilating Korean people into Japanese society
• To pacify the colony, a harsh approach of repression was taken:
• All Korean newspapers were suspended
• All political organisations were disbanded
• All public gatherings were prohibited
• Encouraged Japanese emigration:
• By 1940, 3.2 % of Japanese population resided in Korea
• A stark difference to previous world colonial experiences
• Far from a remote colony, Japan sought a close hands-on approach of all daily lives:
• Colonial bureaucracy expanded rapidly: from 10K in 1910 to 87K in 1937
• Stark difference to, e.g., Vietnam where only 3K French administrators worked
• Intensified economic ties to the colony
Second Phase: “The Cultural Period” (1919-1938)
• 1st March Movement arose from a combination of factors:
• Influence of Woodrow Wilson’s concepts of national autonomy and self-determination
• Various (exiled) independent fighters/leaders abroad began to stir: in Hawaii (Syngman Rhee), Shanghai, Japan (Yi Kwang-su wrote
independent declaration)
• Within Korea, nationalist leaderships were centred in religious communities (since politicians had been exiled and church-related
assembly had been allowed)
• When former emperor Gojong died, his funeral became the venue for planned(peaceful) demonstrations
• A declaration was written (drafted by Choe Nam-son) and signed by 29 of 33 “national representatives” in a Seoul restaurant, before
leading out the declaration at Pagoda Park
• The event drew people from all walks of life into celebration of Korean national will:
• The event sparked months of nation-wide movements in almost all the counties
• Since Japan had not expected this, they reacted hysterically: orgy of arrests, beatings, and even village burnings
• Officially between March and December: 533 killed, 1,409 injured, 12,5222 arrested
• But a Korean estimate: 7,500 deaths, 15,000 injured, and 45,000 arrests
• Though unsuccessful in not ending the colonialism, it was the first coordinated and expanded nationalist movement, not only uniting
people within the country but also the widely separated exile groups
• The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea: formed as a republic to establish links to organizations in Korea while
uniting exile organisations in China, Manchuria, Siberia, UK into a single government
•  Remembered as an important moment in Korean modern history
The Ending
of Mr.
Sunshine
Cultural Policy Reforms:
• On the outset, a stance of conciliation for public consumption (both Koreans and world opinion):
• Whipping for minor offences abolished
• Unpopular laws like regulating traditional burial practices or police interference with peasant markets were
modified
• Dual pay scale between Korean and Japanese civil servants were readjusted (although J officials were then put
on a bonus system)
• Decentralized government to give more autonomy to country administrators and governors
• Expansion of common schools to fulfill promise of equality of opportunity/education
• Permits for Korean language newspapers and magazines
• Permits for gatherings in organizations again
• But behind the scenes, upgraded efficiency and control:
• Police strengthened: military uniforms discarded by police and public officials, while police force increased
among civilians  in 1919, 151 stations and 686 sub0stations; in 1920, 251 stations, 2,495 sub-stations
• Police intelligence reorganized: High Police became instrument of censorship and internal political security
In effect, a policy of divided and rule: conciliation for non-threating activities and a more skillful
repression of dangerous nationalist and social revolutionary elements
 The Last Period: “Forced Assimilation, Mobilization, and
War” (1938-1945)
• Political context:
• Manchurian Incident: manufactured a minor pretext to attach Chinese troops and expand control over Manchuria
• In 1931: puppet state of Manchukuo formed as an industrial (natural resources) base for the upcoming war with China in 1937
• Persistent policy of rapid assimilation began in the 1930s:
• Needed active support and participation from the Korean common man (not the indirect support of the small portion of elite) for their
economic and military plans
• Extended hours of Japanese language, ethics, and history in schools  maximize Japanese propaganda
• Eliminated the stud of Korean and use of Korean in general instruction
• By 1940, all public offices, businesses, and banks had to keep records exclusively in Japanese
• Shinto ceremonies enacted and personal religious beliefs were crushed
• By 1940 (peak of assimilation policy, all Korean language newspapers were shut down
• In 1939, the Name Order was promulgated to change all Korean names to Japanese style surnames and given names  most cherished source
of identity seen as being eradicated
• Economic development increased:
• Private investment from Japan increased via new laws: expansion in mining, extractive industries, chemical industries (interest in resources)
• Bound economy of J and K together: by 1934, 95% of all Korean exports went to Japan, 80% of all imports came from Japan
• Landless peasants were driven off lands to pool the labour needed for industrial expansion  drive people towards new cities and low-paying
jobs at the bottom of the labour hierarchy
• (Only a small number were able to rise to leadership or technical positions)
• Cultural domain in the 1930s:
• Despite being a period of least political activity, cultural realm life continued and prospered:
• Nationalist newspapers and monthly magazines endured censorship to present social commentary, serialized
novels, new poetry, movie reviews, and gossip columns etc.
• A growing consumer culture among the urban middle class also increased: a schizophrenic tension of attraction
to the new modern culture being introduced by Japan
• But by 1940s, assimilation policy killed much of this activity
• 1940s: forced mobilization
• After 1930s, small number of Koreans were admitted to Japanese Military Academy in Tokyo and new Manchurian
Military Academy (e.g, Park Chung Hee)
• But from 1943, general conscription of Koreans required to fulfill J manpower for war
• Comfort Corp, made up of young Korean women sent to the front to service sexual needs of troops  known as
“comfort women”
• For a long time, hushed topic that wasn’t acknowledge in history due to the lack of victims’ voices
• Began to become an issue in the 1990s and persists today as a huge social issue, due in part to the lack of
official apology from Japan, but also in part to the Korean government’s lack of involvement of actual victims in
the process of retribution
• By 1944, 4 million Koreans (16 percent of entire population) were living outside borders  called a “population
hemorrhage”
Mr. Sunshine (tvN/Netflix,
2018)
• A hugely successful K-drama
• A huge budget of 22 billion won by tvN + 30 billion won by Netflix
• Unlike usual K-drama in visual stylization, as well as in certain
filming techniques  more film-like
• Reconstruction of Korea of the past, particularly of Seoul (then:
Hanseong)
• Modernization process, contextualised in an aspiring modern
metropolis with rapid economic and technological advances and
changes
 A rare setting of period in Korean history: pre-colonial times, during
the short-lived years of the Korean Empire
• Depicted as a time of much potential change, led by the
Korean people’s agency in shaping their own history
Ep.2: Electric Lighting of the •Ep. Ae-sin’s First Train Ride (9.33-6.32)
Streets (37.43-34.57)
Discussion Questions
• What was the greatest impact of colonialism in
Korea?
• Are there any positive effects of the Japanese
colonial period? Can they be called positive effects?
• What was the significance of the Great Korean
Empire period?
• Would Joseon dynasty have fallen regardless of
world politics of the time?
• What are the remnants of the Joseon era found in
contemporary Korea today?
• What are the remnants of the colonial period found
in contemporary Korea today?

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