Japanese Rule in Korea after the March First Uprising. Governor General Hasegawa's Recommendations

Abstract

I N 1919 the March First Movement of protest began, first in Seoul, then in the rest of Korea. Japan had annexed Korea nine years earlier after bringing pressure on the Korean royal family, and the post of governor general, appointed by the emperor, had been established to administer the country. Only generals or admirals were eligible for this position, the first incumbent being General Terauchi Masatake #IFAIEV (1852-1919), later prime minister of Japan. He was supported by General Hasegawa Yoshimichi M,J[II:f (1850-1924), the commander of Japanese troops in Korea, who had played a leading role in forcing the Korean king Kojong , to abdicate in favor of his ineffectual son Sunjong -, in 1907. Hasegawa succeeded Terauchi in 1916 amid increasing Korean resentment against the Japanese occupying forces. The desire for national independence became even stronger when various European countries, such as Poland and Romania, regained their freedom after World War I. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's famous call for national self-determination only added to the Koreans' desire for freedom. Kojong died in January 1919 and on 1 March, two days before his funeral, patriots issued a declaration in Seoul calling for Korean independence, to be achieved through peaceful means. The movement spread rapidly throughout the country as meetings, rallies, and demonstrations were organized. Notable among the protesters were members of Ch'ondogyolIAft and some, but not