Treaty of Annexation
[Annexation of Korea by Japan]
(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