Japan’s Conquest of Korea in the 20th Century

Japan’s Conquest of Korea in the 20th Century
Japan formally annexed Korea on August 29, 1910, after years of increasing influence following its victory in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905).
Koreans celebrate Independence Movement Day (삼일절) – March 1, which commemorates the 1919 nationwide protest against Japanese rule, even though they were crushed.
The annexation was made official through the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty, though it was signed under coercion.
This marked the beginning of 35 years of Japanese colonial rule, which lasted until August 15, 1945, when Japan surrendered in World War II.
Forced Labor and Exploitation of Koreans (1910–1945)
During Japan’s rule, millions of Koreans were subjected to forced labor, cultural erasure, and military conscription.
The level of oppression intensified during the 1930s and World War II.
Key aspects of this exploitation included:
- Forced Labor & Industrial Exploitation:
- Koreans were forcibly taken to work in mines, factories, and construction projects across Japan, Manchuria, and other occupied territories.
- The conditions were brutal, with extended hours, poor wages, harsh discipline, and dangerous environments.
- Many Korean workers died due to exhaustion, malnutrition, or workplace accidents.
- Military Conscription & “Comfort Women”:
- From 1938, Korean men were drafted into Japan’s military and forced to fight for the empire.
- Korean women were kidnapped or coerced into becoming “comfort women”, a euphemism for sexual slavery, serving Japanese soldiers in military brothels.
- Cultural Suppression & Assimilation (“Japanization”):
- The Korean language was banned in schools, and Koreans were forced to adopt Japanese names.
- Korean history was erased from textbooks, and Shintoism was imposed as the state religion.
- Political dissent was crushed, with mass arrests and executions of resistance leaders.
- Land Seizures & Economic Exploitation:
- Korean landowners lost their farms to Japanese settlers and corporations.
- Korean businesses were restricted, and Japan controlled most industries.
Post-War Japan: Second-Class Citizenship for Korea-Born Koreans
After Japan’s defeat in 1945, over 600,000 Koreans remained in Japan, many having been brought there against their will.
However, they faced systematic discrimination due to Japan’s nationality laws.
- Denial of Birthright Citizenship (Zainichi Koreans’ Statelessness):
- Japan does not grant automatic citizenship to those born on its soil (jus soli).
- Even if Koreans were born in Japan for multiple generations, they were classified as “foreigners” and denied full legal rights.
- They had to register as aliens, renew residence permits regularly and could be deported for minor infractions.
- Koreans must choose between North Korea and South Korea to obtain a passport.
- Denial of Government Jobs and Benefits:
- Zainichi Koreans were barred from government positions, including teaching and public service.
- They were denied pensions, welfare, and healthcare benefits that Japanese citizens received.
- Social and Economic Discrimination:
- Many faced difficulty finding employment, with some forced into ethnic Korean businesses like pachinko (gambling) parlors.
- They were segregated into Korean schools, which received little state funding.
- Legal discrimination meant they had no access to voting rights, despite being born and raised in Japan.
- Naturalization Barriers:
- While naturalization was technically possible, the process was lengthy, expensive, and required renouncing Korean identity.
- Many Koreans refused, as it involved adopting a Japanese name and erasing their cultural heritage.
Legacy and Struggles Today
Despite some legal improvements, Zainichi Koreans still face discrimination.
Many remain “special permanent residents” rather than full citizens. Japan’s refusal to fully acknowledge wartime abuses and forced labor continues to strain relations with Korea.