Page "Itō Hirobumi" Paragraph 18

In November 1905, following the Russo-Japanese War, Japan – Korea Treaty of 1905 was made between the Empire of Japan and the Empire of Korea, making Korea a Japanese protectorate.

After the treaty had been signed, Itō became the first Resident-General of Korea on 21 December 1905.

In 1907, he urged Emperor Gojong to abdicate in favor of his son Sunjong and secured the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty of 1907, giving Japan its authorities to control Korea's internal affairs.

Itō's position, however, was nuanced.

He was firmly against Korea falling into China or Russia's sphere of influence, which would cause a grave threat to Japan's national security.

But, he was actually against the annexation, advocating instead that Korea should remain as a protectorate.

When the cabinet eventually voted for annexing Korea, he insisted and proposed a delay, hoping that the annexation decision could be reversed in the future.

His political nemesis came when politically influential Imperial Japanese Army, led by Yamagata Aritomo, whose main faction was advocating annexation forced Itō to resign on 14 June 1909.

His assassination is believed to have accelerated the path to the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty.