Korea Under Japanese Rule (1910–1945): Seodaemun Prison and Other Sites
How the figure of 35 years is counted, what powers the Government-General actually held, why the gendarmerie police system is recorded as having no parallel anywhere in the world — and where in Seoul you can walk into this period.
Language
Travel in Korea and the number "35 years" keeps recurring. The Japanese colonial period refers to the 35 years, 1910 to 1945, in which Korea was subjected to colonial rule by Japanese imperialism.
This article does not try to summarise those 35 years. It sets out the thing you actually need in order to read an information board — who was able to decide what — and then points to the places in Seoul where the period is still standing.
At a glance
35 years, 1910–1945
Forced annexation on 22 August 1910, sovereignty fully seized on 29 August, liberation on 15 August 1945.
The Government-General of Korea
The colonial governing apparatus established after 29 August 1910.
The Governor-General held all four powers
Executive authority, and also legislative, judicial and military command.
Gendarmerie police, 10 September 1910
Military police handling civil policing — recorded as a system without parallel anywhere in the world.
Why there are two dates — 22 and 29 August
Sources give different dates for the annexation, which is confusing. Both are right.
The forced annexation is dated 22 August 1910, and the complete seizure of the Korean Empire's sovereignty and its occupation as a colony is dated 29 August 1910. One is the day the treaty was concluded, the other the day it was promulgated and took effect.
So "a full 35 years" is the span counted from 22 August 1910 to 15 August 1945. The last day the Korean Empire existed is recorded as 29 August.
What one Governor-General could do
The quickest way to understand the character of this rule is to look at how power was arranged.
Japanese imperialism established the Government-General of Korea as the colonial governing apparatus and placed a Governor-General at its head. The Governor-General exercised enormous authority, holding not only executive power but legislative and judicial power and command of the army as well.
Two things compound that. First, the Governor-General had to be appointed from among Japanese army or navy generals — which in practice placed Korea under the control of the Japanese military and enabled military rule. Second, matters that required "law" could be handled by the Governor-General's "order", and those orders were given the specific name jeryeong.
Put plainly: one man made the law, enforced it, judged under it and commanded the army. There is no separation of powers in that structure.
The gendarmerie police system, in the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture's words
The gendarmerie police system was created on 10 September 1910.
The encyclopedia describes it as a system without precedent anywhere in the world, under which military police were made responsible for police administration over the general population. Under it, Japanese military police handled the policing of Korean civilians.
Disarmament ran alongside it. The systematic disarming of Koreans began with the disbanding of the Korean Empire's old army on 1 August 1907, followed on 3 September that year by the promulgation of a firearms and explosives control law that barred Koreans from holding weapons.
Those two facts together — civilians policed by military police, and a population comprehensively disarmed — are what explain why the March 1st Movement took the form of unarmed demonstration.
Where you can see this period
For this period, the buildings survive and you can walk into them.
In Seoul, start with Seodaemun Prison History Hall, in Independence Park in Seodaemun-gu. The prison itself became the museum, so the space communicates before you have read any of the captions.
The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History carries this period through to the present as one continuous account. It stands on the Gwanghwamun boulevard, so it attaches easily to a palace visit.
In Busan there is the Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum, in Jung-gu, housed in the former Oriental Development Company branch building — so the building is itself a document of the period.
All three keep their own opening hours and closing days, listed below. Check them, and each museum's notices, before you go.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall opening hours
| 3·4·5·6·7·8·9·10 | 09:30–18:00 |
|---|---|
| 11·12·1·2 | 09:30–17:00 |
National Museum of Korean Contemporary History opening hours
| Mon·Tue·Thu·Fri·Sun | 10:00–18:00last entry 17:30 |
|---|---|
| Wed·Sat | 10:00–21:00last entry 20:30 |
The museum states that entry closes 30 minutes before the galleries do; the last-entry times above are that rule applied to each day.
Source: National Museum of Korean Contemporary History — general admission ·
Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum opening hours
| Tue·Wed·Thu·Fri·Sat·Sun | 09:00–18:00last entry 17:00 |
|---|
Source: Visit Busan — Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum ·
Seodaemun Prison History Hall includes exhibits dealing with torture, imprisonment and execution. If you are visiting with children, check which sections you want to enter before you go.
Where to go for the colonial period
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
The prison buildings survive as the museum, in Independence Park, Seodaemun-gu.
National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
Carries this period through to the present as one account. On the Gwanghwamun boulevard.
Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum
Busan. Housed in the former Oriental Development Company branch, so the building is itself evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Exactly what period does Japanese colonial rule cover?
The 35 years from 1910 to 1945. The forced annexation is dated 22 August 1910, the complete seizure of sovereignty 29 August, and liberation 15 August 1945.
What powers did the Governor-General hold?
Executive power, and also legislative and judicial power and command of the army. Matters requiring law could also be handled by his order, which was given the name jeryeong.
What was the gendarmerie police system?
Created on 10 September 1910, it made military police responsible for police administration over the general population. The encyclopedia records it as a system without precedent anywhere in the world.
Where can I see this period in Seoul?
Start with Seodaemun Prison History Hall — the prison buildings themselves became the museum. The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History covers this period through to the present.
Why did Koreans not resist with weapons?
The Korean Empire's old army was disbanded on 1 August 1907, and on 3 September that year a firearms and explosives control law was promulgated that prevented Koreans from holding weapons.
Nearby Food
Travel Guides
Related articles
Last verified:
Official sources (2)
- Fact check: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture — the Japanese colonial period (the 35 years 1910–1945, the seizure of sovereignty on 29 August 1910 and the establishment of the Government-General, the Governor-General's powers and the jeryeong ordinance, the gendarmerie police system created 10 September 1910, and the 1907 disbanding of the Korean Empire's army)
- Fact check: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture — Liberation of 15 August (a full 35 years from the forced annexation of 22 August 1910 to liberation on 15 August 1945)