Japan–Korea Agreement of August 1904

The first Japanese - Korean agreement, also known as the Japanese - Korean Protocol of August 1904, was a treaty between the Empire of Japan and the Empire of Korea, which was adopted in August 1904.

The protocol wrote off the Korean government to provide proposed by the Japanese government consultant in the areas of finance and diplomacy, which had to listen at appropriate occasions. In addition, the Korean government was allowed to complete negotiations with third parties or grant concessions without having to consult in advance with the Japanese government.

Contract contents

The protocol was between an envoy of the Japanese Meiji Tenno and the Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs, who represented the Korean Emperor Gojong negotiated. Here you great freedom about the content of the Protocol have been granted. The three items were:

• Article 1 The Korean government should set as a financial advisor proposed by the Japanese government, Japanese, and all financial matters to be settled after his advice was sought.

• Article 2 The Korean government should set as a diplomatic advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Japanese government proposed a foreigner, and all major foreign policy matters to be settled after his advice was sought.

• Article 3 The Korean government should consult with foreign powers, with the Japanese government before entering into contracts or agreements. This is also the Deal with other important diplomatic matters, such as the granting of concessions to the contract or receipt with foreigners.

The article 3 was explained in more detail in a letter which wrote the former Japanese Ambassador to the United States, Takahira Kogoro to the then Secretary of State John Hay: "Article 3 is not intended as to legitimate companies by foreigners in the industrial and to prohibit trade, but to inefficient and dangerous complications, such as the leasing of Yongampo to the Russian Empire, which have been so often in the past led to serious problems to stop. "

After signing the contract

Korea tried several times to cancel the contract. To this end, it turned to individual countries and to the international community. They refused to intervene themselves.

Termination of the contract

With the Basic Treaty between Japan and the Republic of Korea for the agreement was " already invalid" explained. After the Japanese interpretation of this contract passage that is done retroactively to August 15, 1948, ie the day on which South Korea founded. According to South Korean interpretation of this Contract passage this is retroactive to the date of signing of the agreement.