Jeolla History: Eulsa Treaty Part 1

Written By Hea Ron Won

Since the screening of the movie “Assassination” last month, interest in the Korean independence movement has increased. Though the movie had some fictional aspects, showing dramatic gunfights and exciting romance, the assassination attempt was not totally fictional. In fact, many fighters for independence planned to assassinate both those who betrayed the country and those key Japanese figures related to the colonization of Korea.

Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty (Eulsa Treaty)

On November 9, 1905, Japanese emissary Ito Hirobumi landed in Korea with a signed letter written by the Japanese emperor. The letter contained a treaty that would establish the colonized status of Korea. Ito wanted consent from the Korean government as soon as possible, so he met King Gojong of Korea twice and forced him to sign the Protectorate Treaty. On November 17, they had a conference with eight Korean officials to conclude the treaty in Gyeongeungung, what is now Deoksugung Palace.

However, the meeting at Gyeongeungung Palace was unilateral. Ito asked each of the eight Korean officials if they agreed to the treaty. Those who disagreed were immediately exiled. Five subjects, Yi Wanyong, Park Jae Soon, Yi Ji Yong, Yi Geun-Taek, and Gwen Joong Hyeun, signed the treaty.

“The Japanese government completes the treaties Korea has signed with other countries, and Korea must not sign treaties with foreign nations without negotiation with the Japanese government.”

Article 2 of Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty

Signed hastily, the treaty neither had a proper title nor the signature of the Korean king. But caring for nothing beyond the consent of five officials, the treaty deprived Korea of all diplomatic rights. Japan included conditions such as “until Korea becomes strong and rich” and that “(Japan will) guarantee the well-being and honor of Korean dynasty,” but subsequently dethroned King Gojong and extorted Korea both economically and culturally, Japan executed ruthless policies through its 35 years of colonization. The public was outraged and started to call these five subjects The Five Eulsa Traitors.