Korea Under Japanese Colonial Rule

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 words of the record

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

This is one of the few modern subjects where the buildings survive and you can walk into them.

In Seoul the central site is Seodaemun Prison History Hall. 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, housed in the former Oriental Development Company branch building — so the building is itself a document of the period.

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

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?

Seodaemun Prison History Hall is the main site — 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.