Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905
The Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905, also known as the Eulsa Treaty, Eulsa Unwilling Treaty or Japan–Korea Protectorate Treaty, was made between the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire in 1905. Negotiations were concluded on November 17, 1905.[1] The treaty deprived Korea of its diplomatic sovereignty and made Korea a protectorate of Imperial Japan. It resulted from Imperial Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905.[2]
For the earlier treaties between Japan and Korea in 1905, see Japan–Korea Agreement of April 1905 and Japan–Korea Agreement of August 1905.Drafted
November 9, 1905
November 17, 1905
November 17, 1905
第二次日韓協約
だいにじにっかんきょうやく
Dai-niji nikkan kyōyaku
Dai-niji nikkan kyōyaku
을사조약
乙巳條約
Eulsa joyak
Eulsa joyak
Ŭlsa choyak
제2차 한일협약
第二次韓日協約
Je-i-cha Han-il Hyeop-yak
Je-i-cha Han-il Hyeop-yak
Che-i-ch'a Han-il Hyŏp-yak
을사늑약
乙巳勒約
Eulsa neugyak
Eulsa neugyak
Ŭlsa nŭkyak
Names[edit]
In the metonymy Eulsa Treaty,[3] the word Eulsa or Ulsa derives the Sexagenary Cycle's 42nd year of the Korean calendar, in which the treaty was signed.[4] The treaty is identified by several names including Second Japan–Korea Convention (Japanese: 第二次日韓協約, Korean: 제2차 한일협약; Hanja: 二次韓日協約),[5] Eulsa Restriction Treaty (Korean: 을사늑약, 乙巳勒約),[5] Eulsa Protection Treaty (Japanese: 乙巳保護条約, Korean: 을사보호조약), and Korea Protection Treaty (Japanese: 韓国保護条約).
Background[edit]
Following Imperial Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War, with its subsequent withdrawal of Russian influence, and the Taft–Katsura Agreement, in which the United States allegedly agreed not to interfere with Japan in matters concerning Korea, the Japanese government sought to formalize its sphere of influence over the Korean Peninsula.
Delegates of both Empires met in Seoul to resolve differences in matters pertaining to Korea's future foreign policy; however, with the Korean Imperial palace under occupation by Japanese troops, and the Imperial Japanese Army stationed at strategic locations throughout Korea, the Korean side was at a distinct disadvantage in the discussions.
Rescission[edit]
Gojong's declaration of rescission[edit]
Thereafter, Gojong tried to inform the international community of the injustice of the 2nd Korea-Japan Agreement, but according to the logic of the international situation at the time, Gojong's secrets were not effective. Gojong's declaration of Rescission in the Eulsa Treaty had the following, but it was not recognized internationally:
This treaty, later, was confirmed to be "already null and void" by the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea concluded in 1965.[16]
In a joint statement on June 23, 2005, officials of South Korea and North Korea reiterated their stance that the Eulsa treaty is null and void on a claim of coercion by the Japanese.
As of 2010, South Korea was seizing property and other assets from the descendants of people who have been identified as pro-Japanese collaborators (Chinilpa) at the time of the treaty.[17]