INTRODUCTIONThe era of Japanese colonial rule is a dark part of Korean history. Korea had been plagued by political unrest since King Gojong ascended the throne in 1863. This political instability intensified when Empress Myeongseong, Gojong's wife, overthrew the influence of Heungseon Daewongun, Gojong's father. Heungseon Daewongun was open to foreign relations; Empress Myeongseong had not done so. Seeing this turbulence as an opportunity, Japan proposed the Treaty of Ganghwado, or Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876. The treaty lifted Korea's status as a tributary of Qing China and opened three Korean ports to Japanese trade. Unfortunately, the terms of this treaty were unequal and opened the country to Japanese annexation. Seen as an obstacle to the annexation of Korea, Empress Myeongseong was assassinated by Japanese agents in 1895. In 1905, Japan won the Russo-Japanese War, defeating its greatest rival. for a claim on Korea. The Treaty of Eulsa was signed the same year, making Korea a protectorate of Japan. Gojong was forced to appoint Crown Prince Sunjong as regent and the annexation treaty between Japan and Korea was signed in 1910. Japanese colonial rule had a great influence on Korean society and culture in the early 20th century. century. However, although Japanese colonial rule established a certain framework for Korea's political and economic modernization, the Korean people and the United States of America had greater influence. Japanese colonial rule suppressed much of Korean culture. This included changing clothes and surnames, restricting the use of the Korean language, and many other changes. On the other hand, Japanese colonial rule had little impact on Korea's political modernization. Politics in Korea at the time was entirely under Japanese control, a...... middle of paper ......ence of Japanese rule. This system still exists in Korea today. When it comes to economic modernization, South Korea's rapid economic growth occurred largely due to the policies of Park Chung Hee, the Korean president. Although Japan introduced Korea to heavy industry, increased agricultural production, and created transportation, this was not done in the interests of the Koreans. Japan developed the Korean economy to the extent that it benefited Japan. Park's government and economic plans, with some wise advice from Americans, grew the Korean economy at a rapid pace and helped the nation get to where it is today. Japanese colonization almost destroyed Korean culture, and colonial rule did not contribute much to Korea's development. The Politics and Economy of Korea. With a little help from the United States, the Koreans themselves achieved all of Korea's modern developments..