August 22, 1910: Japan Annexes Korea, Ushering in 35 Years of Colonial Rule

On August 22, 1910, the Empire of Japan formally annexed Korea through the signing of the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty, marking the end of the Korean Empire and the beginning of a 35-year period of Japanese colonial rule. This moment, often referred to in Korea as "Gyeongsul Gukchi" (National Humiliation of the Year Gyeongsul), remains one of the most consequential and painful chapters in modern East Asian history.

The treaty was signed by Ye Wan-yong, the pro-Japanese Prime Minister of Korea, and Count Terauchi Masatake, Japan's Resident General in Korea. Though the treaty was sealed on August 22, it was officially proclaimed on August 29, 1910. The first article of the treaty declared the "complete and permanent cession" of Korean sovereignty to the Emperor of Japan.

A Gradual Erosion of Sovereignty

The annexation did not occur in isolation. It was the culmination of a series of treaties and political maneuvers that gradually stripped Korea of its autonomy. Following Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), Japan emerged as a dominant power in East Asia. The 1905 Japan–Korea Protectorate Treaty reduced Korea to a Japanese protectorate, effectively placing its foreign affairs under Tokyo's control. In 1907, a second treaty deprived Korea of its right to administer internal affairs, further weakening the Korean monarchy.

By 1910, Korea had become a puppet state, its sovereignty hollowed out by diplomatic coercion and military intimidation. Emperor Sunjong, the last monarch of the Korean Empire, was pressured into authorizing Ye Wan-yong to sign the annexation treaty. Many Koreans viewed the treaty as illegitimate, referring to it as a "neugyak" (forced treaty) rather than a legitimate "joyak" (treaty).

International Acquiescence

Japan's annexation of Korea was met with little resistance from the international community. The United Kingdom had already signaled its acceptance of Japan's growing influence in Korea through the Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902 and 1905. The United States, under President Theodore Roosevelt, tacitly endorsed Japan's actions via the Taft-Katsura Agreement of 1905, which acknowledged Japan's interests in Korea in exchange for U.S. control over the Philippines.

This international acquiescence left Korea diplomatically isolated. Appeals for intervention, including those from American diplomats stationed in Seoul, went unanswered. The global powers of the time prioritized strategic alliances and imperial interests over the sovereignty of smaller nations.

The Nature of Japanese Rule

Japanese colonial rule in Korea was marked by efforts to assimilate Korean culture into the Japanese imperial framework. The Chosŏn Dynasty, which had ruled Korea for over five centuries, was dismantled. Korean language and history were suppressed in schools, and Japanese became the official language of administration.

Land reforms and industrialization projects were introduced, but they disproportionately benefited Japanese settlers and corporations. Korean farmers were often dispossessed or forced into tenant farming. Political dissent was harshly punished, and freedom of speech and assembly were severely curtailed.

Despite these hardships, Korean resistance persisted. Underground movements, cultural preservation efforts, and calls for independence continued throughout the colonial period. The most notable uprising occurred on March 1, 1919, when millions of Koreans participated in peaceful demonstrations demanding independence. The Japanese response was brutal-thousands were killed or imprisoned-but the movement galvanized international awareness and laid the groundwork for future resistance.

Legacy and Reconciliation

Japan's rule over Korea ended in 1945 with its defeat in World War II. Korea was liberated but immediately divided into two zones of occupation-Soviet in the north and American in the south-setting the stage for the Korean War and the enduring division of the peninsula.

The legacy of the annexation remains deeply embedded in Korean national identity. August 29 is remembered as "Gukchi-il" (National Humiliation Day), and the annexation treaty is widely regarded as a symbol of foreign subjugation. In 1965, the Treaty on Basic Relations between South Korea and Japan declared the 1910 treaty "already null and void," but historical grievances continue to shape diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Contemporary debates over reparations, historical memory, and textbook representations of the colonial period reflect the unresolved tensions stemming from this era. For many Koreans, the annexation is not just a historical event but a living memory that informs national pride, political discourse, and cultural preservation.

Conclusion

The Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty of 1910 was more than a diplomatic agreement-it was the formalization of imperial domination and the erasure of a sovereign nation's autonomy. It ushered in a period of cultural suppression, economic exploitation, and political repression that left indelible scars on the Korean Peninsula.

Yet, it also sparked a resilient spirit of resistance and a long struggle for independence that culminated in Korea's liberation in 1945. As Korea continues to navigate its complex relationship with Japan and its own divided identity, the events of August 22, 1910 remain a powerful reminder of the costs of empire and the enduring quest for self-determination.