[Title] DECLARATIONS AS TO THE ANNEXATION OF KOREA TO THE EMPIRE OF JAPAN. (Declarations as to the Annexation of Korea to the Empire of Japan)

Published August 29, 1910 (43th year of Meiji).

I. DECLARATION TO GERMANY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, BELGIUM, CHINA, DENMARK, FRANCE, GREAT BRITAIN, ITALY AND RUSSIA, WHICH HAVE HAD TREATIES WITH KOREA OR HAVE BEEN ENJOYING THE MOST-FAVOURED-NATION TREATMENT IN KOREA.

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 a 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 régime 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 guarantees for the future, have, with the approval of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and His Majesty the Emperor of Korea, concluded, through Their respective Plenipotentiaries, a Treaty providing for the complete annexation of Korea to the Empire of Japan.

By virtue of that important Act which shall take effect on its promulgation on the 29th August the Imperial Government of Japan 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:

(1) The Treaties hitherto concluded by Korea with foreign Powers ceasing to be operative, Japan’s existing Treaties will, so far as practicable, be applied to Korea.

Foreigners resident in Korea will, so far as conditions permit, enjoy the same rights and immunities as in Japan proper, and the protection of their legally acquired rights, subject in all cases to the jurisdiction of Japan.

The Imperial Government of Japan are ready to consent that the jurisdiction in respect of cases actually pending in any foreign Consular Courts in Korea at the time the Treaty of Annexation takes effect shall remain in such Courts until final decision.

(2) Independently of any conventional engagements formerly existing on the subject, the Imperial Government of Japan will, for a period of ten years, levy upon goods imported into Korea from foreign countries or exported from Korea to foreign countries, and upon foreign vessels entering any of the open ports of Korea, the same import or export duties and the same tonnage dues as under the existing schedules.

The same import or export duties and tonnage dues as those to be levied upon the aforesaid goods and vessels will also, for a period of ten years, be applied in respect of goods imported into Korea from Japan or exported from Korea to Japan, and Japanese vessels entering any of the open ports of Korea.

(3) The Imperial Government of Japan will also permit, for a period of ten years, vessels under the flags of Powers having Treaties with Japan, to engage in the coasting trade between the open ports of Korea, and between those ports and any open ports of Japan.

(4) The existing open ports of Korea, with the exception of Masampo, will be continued as open ports and, in addition, Shin-Wiju will be newly opened, so that vessels, foreign as well as Japanese, will there be admitted and goods may be imported into and exported from those ports.

II. DECLARATION TO ARGENTINE, BRAZIL, CHILE, COLOMBIA, SPAIN, GREECE, MEXICO, NORWAY, THE NETHERLANDS, PERU, PORTUGAL, SIAM, SWEDEN AND SWITZERLAND.

By virtue of a Treaty concluded between Japan and Korea, dated the 22nd August, 1910, Korea has been annexed to Japan and from this date forms an integral part of the Empire of Japan. Japan’s existing Treaties will, so far as practicable, be applied to Korea, and the subjects and citizens of the powers having such existing Treaties will, so far as conditions permit, enjoy in Korea the same rights and immunities as in Japan proper.