Treaty of Annexation
(August 22, 1910)
The Proclamation
Notwithstanding the earnest and laborious work of reforms in the administration
of Korea in which the Governments of Japan and Korea have been engaged
for more than four years since the conclusion of the Agreement
of 1905, the existing system of government in that country has not
proved entirely equal to the duty of preserving public order and tranquillity;
and in addition, the spirit of suspicion and misgiving dominates the whole
peninsula.
In order to maintain peace and stability in Korea, to promote the prosperity
and welfare of Koreans, and at the same time to ensure the safety and repose
of foreign residents, it has been made abundantly clear that fundamental
changes in the actual regime of government are absolutely essential. The
Governments of Japan and Korea, being convinced of the urgent necessity
of introducing reforms responsive to the requirements of the situation
and of furnishing sufficient guarantee for the future, have, with the approval
of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and His Majesty the Emperor of Korea,
concluded, through their plenipotentiaries, a treaty providing for complete
annexation of Korea to the Empire of Japan. By virtue of that important
act, which shall take effect on its promulgation on August 29, 1910, the
Imperial Government of Japan shall undertake the entire government and
administration of Korea, and they hereby declare that the matters relating
to foreigners and foreign trade in Korea shall be conducted in accordance
with the following rules:
The Treaty
His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and His Majesty the Emperor of Korea,
having in view the special and close relations between their respective
countries, desiring to promote the common wealth of the two nations and
to assure the permanent peace in the Far East, and being convinced that
these objectives can be best attained by the annexation of Korea to the
Empire of Japan, have resolved to conclude a treaty of such annexation
and have, for that purpose, appointed as their plenipotentiaries, that
is to say, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan Viscount Terauchi Masatake,
Resident-General, and His Majesty the Emperor of Korea Yi Wan-Yong, Prime
Minister, who upon mutual conference and deliberation have agreed to the
following articles:
Article 1. 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.
Article 2. His Majesty the Emperor of Japan accepts the cession
mentioned in the preceding article and consents to the complete annexation
of Korea to the Empire of Japan.
Article 3. His Majesty the Emperor of Japan will accord to their
Majesties the Emperor and ex-Emperor and His Imperial Highness the Crown
Prince of Korea and their consorts and heirs such titles, dignity, and
honor as are appropriate to their respective ranks, and sufficient annual
grants will be made for the maintenance of such titles, dignity and honor.
Article 4. His Majesty the Emperor of Japan will also accord appropriate
honor and treatment to the members of the Imperial House of Korea and their
heirs other than those mentioned in the preceding article, and the funds
necessary for the maintenance of such honor and treatment will be granted.
Article 5. His Majesty the Emperor of Japan will confer peerage
and monetary grants upon those Koreans who, on account of meritorious services,
are regarded as deserving such special recognition.
Article 6. In consequence of the aforesaid annexation the Government
of Japan assume the entire government and administration of Korea, and
undertake to afford full protection for the persons and property of Koreans
obeying the laws there in force to promote the welfare of all such Koreans.
Article 7. The Government of Japan will, so far as circumstances
permits, employ in the public service of Japan in Korea those Koreans who
accept the new regime loyally and in good faith and who are duly qualified
for such service.
Article 8. This treaty, having been approved by His Majesty the
Emperor of Japan and His Majesty the Emperor of Korea, shall take effect
from the state of its promulgation.
In faith thereof:
Resident General Viscount Terauchi Masatake
Prime Minister Yi, Wan-yong
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