The Rising Sun Sets on Korea

The prime location of the Korean Peninsula made Korea a target for many strong and ambitious countries. Japan’s initial attempt at conquering the land back in 1592 failed due to Korea’s innovative war force, an ironclad ship known as a turtleboat, led by Admiral Yi Sunsin, and China’s support as Korea’s patron. (A) However, Japan returned years later after defeating both China and Russia in their respective wars [the Sino- Japanese War in 1894 and the Russo- Japanese War in 1904] and gained the Korean peninsula as their prize.(A)

The fall of Korea to Japanese hands can also be rooted back to the lack of modernization throughout Korea. Although many officials in Korea were warned and urged to take part in the global industrial revolution that occurred, officials chose to adopt an Isolationist policy, which gave Korea the nickname,”The Hermit Kingdom”(B). Closed off from all progress and connection to the rest of the world, Korea was unprepared when Japan defeated their neighboring patron, China, and held no match for the mighty forces that invaded their country.(F)

The Japanese annexation began in 1910, and lasted for 35 long years.(F)

The Light of Day

The years spent as a colony of Japan were difficult; while the economy grew and modernization began in Korea, almost all of the benefits went to Japan. Businesses and land were taken away and given to any Japanese native for a cheap price, which often lead Koreans into food shortages. Numerous Koreans were also forced to leave their home country in search for a better life, only to find that conditions elsewhere were no better. Korean culture suffered the most damage, especially the Korean language, which was forbidden in any form(A). The Japanese forced their language and religion upon Koreans, leading many Koreans to adopt Japanese names. During this time, many Korean treasures were stolen, most of which have not been returned to this day(B).

Samil
Independence Day
March 1, 1919

 This suppression of culture motivated many Koreans to become politically active. Many staged demonstrations against the Japanese, including one where a Declaration of Independence was created. This movement, in Pagoda Park involved 33 patriots who successfully established a provisional government in Shanghai and organized one of the first struggles against Japanese forces(B). Another attempt in throwing off the Japanese reign occurred at the 1919 Versailles conference, where Koreans protested for international support(A). Unfortunately, this movement also failed. The most famous effort for resistance occurred on March 1, 1919, which today is known as Samil [Independence Day](F,B). However, this demonstration also failed, with an estimated 7,000 Koreans killed and thousands imprisoned(A). Following these events, nationalists and communists movements developed among Koreans and exiled Koreans in the former USSR, Manchuria, and China in an effort to reclaim their homeland (F).