Japan Korea Annexation Treaty
The Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty (Japanese: 日韓併合条約 Nikkan Heigō Jōyaku Korean: 한일병합조약 Hanil Byeonghap Joyak) was signed by representatives of the Empires of Japan and Korea on 22 August 1910. It was proclaimed and came into effect on 29 August of the same year. This treaty officially began the period of Japanese rule in Korea, which lasted until the end of World War 2. In addition, it also meant the end of the Imperial dynasty of Korea.
Although Korean law required the treaty to be signed by Emperor Sunjong, he refused to do so and the treaty was signed by the Prime Minister, Yi Wan-Yong and the Japanese Resident General, Viscount Terauchi Masatake.
The Annexation Treaty was formally rescinded in the "Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea", signed between Korea and Japan on 22 June 1965, which stated: "It is confirmed that all treaties or agreements concluded between the Empire of Japan and the Empire of Korea on or before 22 August 1910 are already null and void."
Korea still commemorates the implementation date of 29 August, calling it "the day of national shame" (Gukchi-il 국치일).
Full Text of the Treaty
|“|| Treaty of Annexation
22 August 1910
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:
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:
In faith thereof:
Resident General Viscount Terauchi Masatake
Prime Minister Yi, Wan-Yong 
- Protectorate Treaty of 1904
- Eulsa Treaty
- Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty of 1907
- Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea