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The Treaty of Annexation of Korea by Japan was signed on August 22, 1910 by the representatives of the Korean and Japanese Imperial Governments. This began the de facto period of Japanese rule in Korea. The treaty had eight articles, number one being: "His Majesty the Emperor of Korea makes the complete and permanent cession to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan of all rights of sovereignty over the whole of Korea."
The legality of the Treaty is disputed, and not accepted in contemporary Korea. The Emperor of Korea, Emperor Yung-hui, refused to sign the treaty as required, and the treaty, while affixed with his Great Seal, does not bear his Imperial signature as dictated by Korean law. Also, the threat of retribution by Japanese in form of their army stationed in Seoul was present, nullifying the treaty under the International Law. The treaty was signed by Prime Minister Lee Wan-Yong of Korea and Resident General Count Terauchi Masatake of Japan. In his last testament in 1926, Emperor Yung-hui affirmed that the treaty was forced through by ministers threatened by the Japanese. It is believed that the Great Seal was hidden by Empress Sunjeong, and that it was physically forced off her by others. The people who signed and agreed to the treaty were Korean ministers who betrayed their country and secretly agreed with the Japanese government prior to the actual signing of the treaty. Nonetheless, the treaty's legality is still asserted by Japan.
See also
External links
- Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty (English)
- Yutaka Kawasaki, the 1910 Annexation Treaty Between Korea and Japan Concluded Legally?", Murdoch University Journal of Law, Volume 3, Number 2 (July 1996).
Treaties | Korea under Japanese rule | Japanese-Korean relations | Japan history of foreign relations
"Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty"