Korea under Japanese rule

From 1910 to 1945, Korea was ruled as a part of the Empire of Japan under the Japanese name of Chōsen. Japan first took Korea into its sphere of influence during the Joseon period, with the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876. A coalition of Japanese government, military, and business officials began a process of completely integrating Korea's politics, society, and economy with Japan's—in effect, converting the provinces of Korea into Japanese prefectures. The Korean Empire, proclaimed in 1897, became a protectorate of Japan with the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905; thereafter Japan ruled the country indirectly through the Japanese Resident-General of Korea. Japan formally and forcibly annexed the Korean Empire with the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910, against the former Korean Emperor Gojong, the regent of the Emperor Sunjong. This name was recognized internationally until the end of Japanese administration. The territory was administered by the Governor-General of Chōsen based in Keijō (Seoul). Japanese rule prioritized Korea's Japanization, accelerated the industrialization started during the Gwangmu Reform era of 1897 to 1907, built public works, and suppressed the Korean independence movement. The public works included developing railroads (Gyeongbu Line, Gyeongui Line, Gyeongwon Line, etc.) and improving major roads and ports that supported economic development. In 1965, the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and South Korea declared that previous unequal treaties between both countries, especially those of 1905 and 1910, were "already null and void" at the time of their promulgation. Interpretations of Japanese rule over Korea remain controversial in Japan and both North and South Korea. During the period of Japanese colonial rule, Korea was officially known as Chōsen, although the former name continued to be used internationally. In South Korea, the period is usually described as the "Imperial Japanese occupation" (). Other terms, although often considered obsolete, include "Japanese Imperial Period" (), "The dark Japanese Imperial Period" (), and "Wae (Japanese) administration" ().