While King GOJONG was staying at the Russian Embassy as a royal refuge,the king's decisions were under the Russian influence. Many of the rights and interests of the country were transferred to Russia and other foreign countries. Criticism was strongly aroused by the people around the Independence Association.

     In 1897, King GOJONG proclaimed that the Korean state was an independent empire at home and abroad, as soon as, he returned to KTEONGUNGUNG (DEOKSUGUNG) (1st year of Kwangmu). The state had facilitated a new system as an independent empire, however, it had many claws too. Because he was in the KTEONGUNGUNG, which was not the KYEONGBOKGUNG (the original royal palace), it and he replied upon the protection by legations of each state. He lost his behavioral liberty even when he was in the capital city.

2) Russo-Japanese War

     The countries that most sharply confronted the Grand Korea Empire were Russia and Japan. After the Three States Interference, Russia, who augmented its influence by strengthening its control over Manchuria and subsequently tried to infiltrate into Korea. As a part of Japan, it couldn't help but feeling uneasy.

     Both Japan and Russia promised not to interfere with the internal politics of Korea and they would consult with Korea before dispatching a training instructor and a financial advisor, Russia promised that it would not obstruct the commercial and industrial infiltration of Japan. The Nishi-Rozen Agreement was the name of this agreement.(1898-2nd year of Kwangmu)

     The Russian infiltration maneuver continued thereafter. As an example of their tries, they tried to lease Masan. (1900-4th year of Kwangmu) At the right time, the "Uihwadan's Revolt" broke out in China and, even after the disturbance, Russia did not withdraw its military force. Japan and the British felt threaten at the same time. They (the both states) entered into an alliance against Russia as a simulated enemy state. (British-Japanese Alliance 1902 - 6th year of Kwangmu)

     Russia and Japan confronted each other by putting Korea & Manchuria between them was a repeated entente and cause for negotiations several times, but they could not find a compromising point. Japan, who failed by entente, attempted to settle the problem by military power. Japan surprise attacked to Ryosun on February 1904, 8th year of Kwangmu. War broke out.

3) International relations

     Korea declared neutrality, however, Japan forced a Korea-Japan Protocol by threatening with its military power(1904-8th year of Kwangmu). Due to it, advisory politics were enforced and substantial power had been transferred to Japan.

     Unexpectedly, Japan won the Russo-Japanese War. President Roosevelt of the U.S. called for intermediation for peace and he considered Korea's dominancy by Japan would be better in order to deter Russian influence and, moreover, he felt the need to recognize the control of the Philippines by Japan and it came about by a secret agreement between Taft and Katsura (August 1905). What came out of this agreement was the Portmouth Peace Treaty, which was signed on September 1905.

     The core of the peace treaty was that Russia would recognize such special interests of Japan in Korea, such as politics, military and the economy and all such actions as leading, protection, and consultancy as Japan feels necessary in Korea and Russia will not obstruct them. By these terms, Japan succeeded in driving out her last hostile force and then, Japan commenced its regular colonization of Korea.

4) Colonization

     In order to make Korea into its protected state, Japan forcibly made the Korea-Japan Treaty which is known as the EULSAJOYAK, in November of 1905.

The major contents were;
   1) That the Japanese Department of Foreign Affairs will control and command the foreign affairs and relations of Korea;
   2) That the Korean government shall not make any treaty or agreement which has international connections without going through Japanese authorities; and
   3) That Japan will establish her Resident General in order to administer the matters of diplomacy of Korea etc. ( In a word, Korea was deprived of her diplomatic rights.)

     The lose of diplomatic rights meant isolation and alienation from the international society. It was not different than having Korean sovereignty substantially robbed. Many Korean martyrs, who were exasperated, took their own lives and loyal troops were situated throughout the country. The national uprising was to restore Korea's sovereignty.

     King GOJONG sent three persons, Lee Sang-Seol, LEEJUN and Lee Wi-Jong to the Universal Peace Convention held in the Hague, Netherland and these three had the power to speak for him (1907-11th year of Kwangmu). They were refused the right to attend beause Korea's loss of diplomatic rights. Out of severe frustration, martyr LEEJUN was committed suicide there.

     Japan dethroned King GOJONG and had King SUNJONG placed on the throne by taking advantage of the secret envoy incident to the Hague and made a new Korea-Japan Treaty (7 Treaty in Jeongmi). The Resident General could interfere in the internal politics of Korea. The Vice Minister of Politics, appointed without permission was executed. And, furthermore, Japan dissolved the Korean military troops. There were approximately 8,800 in the troops at that time and those dissolved military personnel were deployed street fighting against the Japanese forces in SEOUL and/or joined together with the loyal troops in the local regions.

     On August 22, 1910, the amalgamation treaty was signed. It was not announced immediately, in fear of public opinion, but it caused King SUNJONG to issue a royal rescript to transfer the State to Japan (29th). It became a colony.

5) Resistance by loyal troops

     The loyal troops were used at times in the EULMISABYEON (1895) and it was much more intensified due to making of the EULSAJOYAK (1905). However, they rose up with the spirit only to resist against Japan and they were not prepared for military action. However, this situation was more or less changed after the dissolution of the military troops in 1907. By joining with the loyal troops, they could be able to resist with military-like organization and weapons.

     The loyal troops activity was predominant in such provinces as Kyongsang, Kangwon, Kyonggi and Hwanghae, however, it was deployed in almost the entire country. They entered from GANDO (southeast province of Manchuria) and assaulted a Japanese garrison in Korea. In 1907 (Yunghee 1st year), Lee In-Young, HEOWI and others organized the 13 provinces initiative forces of the nationwide united loyal forces with approximately 10,000 of the whole country and tried to defeat the Resident General's Office. The advance party marched 12km from DONGDAEMUN, SEOUL.

     At the height of the 2nd year of Yunghee (1908), the loyal troops activity were gradually weakened, but, after the annexation, they were transferred to the Independence Forces by moving the stage onto Manchuria and the Maritime Province (of Siberia) and continued their anti-Japanese fighting. In the meantime, 17,600 or more loyal troops, including such commanders as Min Keung-Ho, HEOWI and Lee Kang-Nyeon were sacrificed. In fact, many more commanders were killed and/or injured.

6) Exile and secret association

     After Korea became a Japanese colony, the independence campaign at home was impossible and, therefore, many independence patriots fled overseas. The campaign by those patriots in exile may be largely divided into two categories.

     One was a group that struggled for independence by military power by establishing independence campaign bases overseas and deploying their military activities. Those campaigners in exile, mainly to West-GANDO, North- GANDO of Manchuria and Maritime Province, belonged to it. The Samwonbo in West-GANDO established by Lee Si-Young, Lee Dong-Nyeong and Lee Sang-Yong are famous and they established the Shinheung Military Academy in 1911 for military training. Based in the residential areas of Korean such as Shin-han-chon (new Korean Village) built in the Maritime Province, Lee Sang-Seol & Lee Dong-Hwi established the Korea Restoration of Independence Forces Government in Vladivostok in 1914, organized their independence forces and planned for armed resistance. In the U.S.A., Park Yong-Man established the Korean Boys Soldier School at Hestings in 1909 and organized the JOSEON National Corps in Hawaii in 1914 and established the JOSEON National Corps Military Academy to train its officers.

     There were people who wanted to continue the struggle for independence by diplomatic means. Those people located in Shanghai were of this mind-set. Shin Kyu-Sik organized Dongjae-sa in 1912 and linked up with revolutionists in China. And, Syngman Rhee organized the Korean Nationals Society (NS) in 1909 and deployed international activities centered in the U.S.A. An Chang-Ho organized the Heungsa-corps as the successor of Shin-min-hoe which was dissolved. And, they sent representatives to the Universal Sociolists Party Convention held in Stokholm in 1917 and to the Global People of Small & Weak Power Conference held in New York and appealed the independence question to international opinion.

     The national campaigners at home stayed connected with those people in exile under the adverse condition. There were no public activities but there were secret associations. They strived for national edification at home and poured their efforts into the establishment of independence movement bases overseas. There were the JOSEON National Society, organized by JANGILHWAN (1917), the Daehan Independence Loyal Forces Department (1912), organized by IMBYEONGCHAN, the JOSEON Sovereignty Restoration Corps (1915), organized by SEOSANGIL and the Daehan Independence Restoration Society (1913), organized by Chae Ki-Jong and strengthened by Park Sang-Jin.

7) March 1 Independence Movement

     The principle of self-determination of peoples advocated by U.S President Wilson, after World War I, had a great impact on the nationalism campaign. The nationalism campaign of Korea was also wildly welcomed. It gave wishes that we may be able to have independence.

     The independence patriots who fled to Shanghai organized the Shinhan Youth Corps in January of 1919, sent KIMGYUSIK to the International Peace Conference as its representative and appealed for independence. Korean students in Tokyo including Choi Pal-Yong, among others, organized the JOSEON Youth Independence Corps and schemed for an independence movement. They gathered in the YMCA Hall in Tokyo on February 8, 1919 and announced a declaration and resolution to require Korean independence. (Independence Declaration on February 8).

     The movement was planned mainly by such religious groops as the Chondokyo, the Christians, the Buddhist etc. at home and those 33 national representatives including SONBYEONGHUI, LEESEUNGHUN, Han Yong-Woon among others, signed the Independence Declaration. The representatives were assembled in Taehwakwan, a Chinese restaurant in SEOUL, announced the independence declaration and held a demonstration march and shouted "Hurrah for Independence!" Japan, however, oppressed the peaceful demonstration with military power. They mobilized the army and navy, as well as, the military police and police forces. It was a large-scale nation's independence movement as 46,948 were arrested, 7,509 were killed and 15,961 were wounded. The international topology of Japan was relatively high because it was a member of the victorious countries. We could not acquire support from the Great Powers to stop the prosecution and inhumane oppression by Japan.

8) Establishment of the Provisional Government

     The independence campaigners, learning from the March 1 Independence Campaign, commenced to build a provisional government. Those patriots acted in overseas and people, who fled anew, were gathered in Shanghai and established the provisional government there in April of 1919.

     The structure consisted of the Parliamentary Politics House and the State Affairs House. It meant that a political form based on democratic principles for the first time in the history of Korea appeared. It means that they were headed for a democratic government and not a restoration of an empire. This was a new phase of the political consciousness of the time. The connection with the home country was made through a liaison & communication system. It was a system set forth to have a responsible person in every province, kun and myun and to connect the people with the provisional government through this system.

     The provisional government appointed KIMGYUSIK as its ambassador plenipotentiary and let him plea for independence at the International Peace Conference in Paris in May of 1919 and deployed diplomatic activities such as to cause a resolve for the independence of Korea by dispatching representative to the Universal Socialist Parties Convention held in Swiss in August of the same year. On the other hand, the independence army in Manchuria and the Maritime Province was reorganized and prepared for an independence war by setting forth the general command of the Independence Army in Andong-hyon. And, the organ of "Independence News" was published.

9) Production encouragement campaign & tenancy-labor strife

     Many enterprises were established as merchants and landlords launched to become enterpreneurs in 1920s, however, the national capital was very weak, so it could not possibly cope with the huge Japanese capital. It could not grow without a social backup. Therefore, the production encouraging campaign to positively raised the national capital was deployed at home.

     The Production Encouraging Society organized in 1923 deployed the campaign to use domestic products regularly under the slogan "let us wear! The knit-wear that the JOSEON people knitted, Let us eat! What the JOSEON people made! and Let us use! that which is made by the hands of the JOSEON people." This campaign begun in the city and spread to every corner of the country. And, youth associations, women associations and boys corps were corresponded to.

     The tenancy dispute was a lively discussion in the agricultural villages. It became stronger issue as such entities as the tenant farmers association, the agricultural friends societ, etc. were organized. The cause was the burden of such public dues as mainly shift of tenant right, the lowering of farm rent, land tax, membership dues for the irrigation association & so forth. And, such disputes took place much more on the Japanese landlord farms such as the Toyo Colonization Company or the Second-to-none Company It was gradually became a resistance campaign against Japan beyond the simple economic struggle.

     The labor dispute also spread into the large Japanese enterprises and the mines and manufacturing industries. Such strife became aggressive with the organizing of the JOSEON Mutual Labor Relief Association in 1920 and the JOSEON Labor League which was its successor (1922). The strike by the BUSAN Pier Laborers (1921), the strike by SEOUL Lubber Factory Workwomen (1923) and the general strike of the Wonsan Laborers (1929) may be pointed out as examples. In the labor dispute, they offered such demands as wage raises, assignment of collective negotiation, creation of an 8-hour working week and so forth. It was gradually generalized to the range of entire the country as a part of the anti-Japanese national campaign.

     The production encouragement campaign or tenancy & labor disputes were a great threat to the colonial policy of the Japanese Empire. And the Japanese Empire was consistent with its oppressive policy. The oppression was much more serious in 1930s.

10) SINGANHOE

     The independence movement after the March 1 (1919) Independence Movement groped for its direction multilaterally and one of those directions was joining with socialism. Upon the success of the Russian Revolution, Lenin advocated assistance to independence movements of weak & small nations. In 1921, the Corea Communist Party was established in Shanghai centered around Lee Dong-Hwi and received a fund grant from Lenin.

     Beside the above, the anarchist campaign, mainly by students in Tokyo, was happening too. The anarchist campaign took a radical method of resistance by use of violence and the Park Yeol's Japanese emperor assassination Scheme (1923) was the mere expression of it. The people who thought that the Japanese capitalism itself must be overturned organized the JOSEON Communist Party (1925) and deployed an organized campaign within the labor dispute. There were various streams in the socialism campaign.

     The nationalist camp attempted to have an independent organization, however, it always met with serious repression from the Japanese Empire. In 1927, the June 10 Hurrah for Independence Campaign took place. The nationalists and the socialists established SINGANHOE as the nation's single organization thus creating a joint front. Japan, then, recognized it as a lawful agency in order to grasp its inside since it professed cultural politics.

     The SINGANHOE advocated the struggles general principles such as to urge national solidarity, political & economic awakening and rejection of opportunism. It stated the abolition of exploiting authorities, opposition to the Japanese immigration policy, execution of a Korean standard education, liberty for teaching the Korean language, support for the study of science & thought, the abolition of the law for special control of Koreans, among other things.

     In spite of serious surveillance, many branches were established throughout the country and the members' numbers reached no less than 30,000. The Keun-Woo-Hoe was the women's organization aligned with it as a collateral entity. When the GANGJU Students Campaign happened, it sent an investigation team to the site and planned for a mass meeting. Many key personnel were arrested by the police and even the operation of the conference was difficult. It was dissolved by the insistence of the socialist clique in 1931 when the Manchurian Incident happened and the resistance campaign against Japan went underground.

11) June 10 Hurrah Campaign & GANGJU Students Campaign

     The last king of the JOSEON dynasty, King SUNJONG, died in April of 1926. On the day of June 10, which was the day of the state funeral, there was planned a demonstration for resistance against Japan. The plan, however, was detected by the police. The printed manifesto was confiscated and socially renowned persons throughout the country were arrested. The students' scheme progressed in two parts and was not detected and the street demonstration was conducted. This is called the June 10 (1926) Hurrah Campaign.

     The students' national campaign was not only a demonstration but appeared as a form of a strike. At its peak, the strike spread over the whole country. This was the GANGJU students campaign in 1929. The contemptuous speech and conduct by Japanese students against a Korean schoolgirl was the spark at the campaign. The campaign turned violent.

     The Japanese police arrested those students involved unilaterally shifting the responsibility for it all on the Korean students. The GANGJU students deployed demonstrations shouting for the release of those arrested students, the abolition of racial discrimination, the liberation of small & weak nations and the overthrow of imperialism by all out action. The demonstration was not strictly limited to GANGJU alone but spread over the whole country. SINGANHOE kept pace with the students campaign by sending an investigation team and planning a mass meeting. It was the largest national movement since the March 1 (1919) Independence Movement.

12) Oversea independence movements

     Overseas, the independence army was active in Manchuria. Since many loyal troops as HONGBEOMDO & so forth emigrated to Manchuria, it become the base for the independence army. The independence army units were organized and they were powerful troops trained by national education.

     They frequently assaulted the Japanese armed forces and police. The Bongodong combat and Chongsanri battle in 1920 are famous for their shinning victory. In the Bong-o-dong combat, the Daehan Independence Army commanded by HONGBEOMDO joined with the independence forces under the Military Service Command of Choe Dong-Jin. They seized and attacked the Japanese forces with the results of 160 or more Killed in Action and 300 or more Wounded in Action. In the Chongsanri combat, the independence army under the North Military Government led by KIMJWAJIN defeated the Japanese forces that was extraordinarily superior in strength and equipment and resulted in Killed in Action of one thousand or more. The Japanese forces assaulted the Korean villages in Manchuria, burnt their houses and slaughtered young men as a retaliation against it.

     After that the idependence army troops dispersed to places like Russia, but once there, the reorganized themselves for further deployment for the unifying campaign. The Upper House under direct control by the provisional government was established on coast of the Yalu centered with Jiban-hyon. The governing body was located mainly in Gillian Province and Shinyang Province and grown up as administrative government for Korean race. In northern Manchuria, the Sinmin House was organized by the independence army which returned from Russia after the liberty-city incident. Thereby, the independence army in Manchuria was rearranged into three parts, the Upper House, the Justice House and the Sinmin House. Unification was not attained, but the armed fighting against Japan steadily continued.

     After the Manchurian Incident, Manchuria is subtantially subjected to Japanese control. The independence army was united with the anti-Manchurian Chinese forces and continued their fighting. However, they were dispersed to China or the Maritime Province (of Siberia).

     Among the patriots who fled to China, there were such people who committed the anti-Japanese resistance by terrorist means. The leading examples of this type of person were Kim Won-Bong's Gallantry Corp and KIMGU's Patriotic Corps. They attempted bomb throwing and the assassination of key figures. Na Seok-Joo's bombing incident of the Toyo Colonization Company (1926), Lee Bong-Chang's throwing hand grenade of the Japanese Emperor in Tokyo (1932) and YUNBONGGIL's Honggu Park incident (1932) are famous.

     In the provisional government, a dispute and disruption took place due to the opposition to the inauguration of Rhee Syngman, who proposed a trusteeship to the League of Nations and the problem of the fund received from Lenin by Lee Dong-Hwi. They convened the National Representatives Conference and tried to make a union but it come to naught.

     Due to financial destitution, the provisional government remained in existence only. However, at the outbreak of the Chinese-Japanese War, there was a move for unification and they made a union again with the outbreak of the Pacific War. The provisional government migrated to Chungking with the Chinese Government, declared war against Japan and engaged in its diplomatic activity.

     Military activity was used as well. With the unification of the political entities, many parts of the independence army were unified into the Liberation Army. They carried out anti-Japanese resistance actions in cooperation with the allied forces. There were a considerable number of Koreans in the Chinese forces, beside the Liberation Army and the Korean nationals in America who acted as volunteer soldiers.