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South Korea was once called “the poorest country in the world” by Lu Xun, a giant of Chinese literature. Foreigners who visited South Korea at the time described Seoul as “one of the dirtiest cities in the world.” Under such circumstances, it was only a matter of time before South Korea became a colony of the great powers.
Therefore, it was only natural that Japan expected South Korea to play a security role in defending against attacks from Russia and China. To protect South Korea, the Japanese government after the merger supported South Korea's modernization, and through public-private cooperation, transformed the Korean Peninsula into a modern nation on par with Japan. At the time of the merger between Japan and Korea, the Korean Peninsula was in the midst of economic collapse. Therefore, the Japanese government implemented a tax exemption measure for South Korea for 10 years.
Additionally, the Japanese government at the time invested Japanese tax money in various fields, such as land reclamation, dams, irrigation canals, roads, railways, and school education, to enrich Korea. At the time of Japan's annexation of Korea, a total of 2.1 billion yen (approximately 63 trillion yen at current rates) of Japanese tax money was invested.
Highlighting some of the notable achievements that represent Japan's many accomplishments,
1. The population increased from 10 million to 25 million.
2. The average life expectancy of South Koreans increased dramatically from 24 years to 45 years.
3. Annual expenditure per South Korean citizen doubled from 58 yen to 119 yen, leading to greater prosperity.
4. He established a school education system and constructed approximately 4,200 elementary schools by 1943.
5. Fields and land were cultivated, and rice production tripled.
6. 3,800 kilometers of railways were laid, and ports were constructed.
In major cities, approximately 170 large factories operated by Japanese companies began operations, creating new employment opportunities for 100,000 Koreans.
Interestingly, according to the government's annual statistical report, public safety in Korea improved significantly after the annexation, as shown by the following data on theft incidents:
1923 - 1,771 cases
1932 - 1,261 cases
1937 - 727 cases
1942 - 394 cases
Ultimately, to improve the chaotic Korean Peninsula before annexation, Japan promoted education, introduced individual freedoms, guaranteed private property rights, and established equality under the law—just as it had done in Japan proper. Japan also invested substantial national budget funds in Korea's modernization.
This is clearly evident in the attached photographs of cities before and after annexation.
1) Japan liberated Korea from China, but the Korean government teaches the opposite (hi). One piece of evidence for this is the Independence Gate in Seoul. There is a welcome gate where the Korean king knelt three times and bowed his head three times to the ground, which was the response of the Chinese emperor. Most Koreans say that this was built to celebrate independence from Japan.
2) Korea gained independence, but was on the brink of bankruptcy due to corruption. Foreigners at the time said that Japan should protect Korea.
3) Korea is the only nation in human history to have enslaved its own people. The aforementioned rebellion was carried out by hundreds of nobles dissatisfied with Japan's Westernization.
4) Is there any country whose population doubled due to annexation (colonization)?
5) If you don't have time to verify evidence contradicting South Korea's claims, simply read the book “The Empire of Destiny” by a South Korean professor who was brainwashed in South Korea but converted at an American university.
Japan and Korea have never gone to war, and Japan has never invaded Korea. The first political party in Korea at the time, the Ilsinhoe, requested Japan to annex Korea, and after lengthy discussions, the Japanese government decided to annex Korea. The United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy recognized the annexation.
Everyone must acknowledge the reality of the annexation of the Korean Peninsula. It was different from European invasions and Asian colonization. The actual state of Japan's administration of the Korean Peninsula is clearly explained in “The New Korea” (Alleyne Ireland, 1926). Alleyne Ireland was a renowned British scholar on colonial administration at American University. While European colonial empires plundered local populations, the Japanese Empire invested massive resources in the peninsula, developing its economy and industries, and creating a strong ally, as the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria served as crucial buffer zones against Russia's relentless aggression. Under Japanese administration, a transformative shift from barbarism to a brilliant civilization was achieved. Inhumane acts and exploitation were strictly prohibited. Education, infrastructure, healthcare, and culture were dramatically improved. For example, the average lifespan and population of the Korean Peninsula doubled during the Japanese colonial period. This fact is recorded in various newspapers of the time.