Japanese Colonial Period
Thirty-five years under foreign rule. Yet through the March 1st Movement, the Provisional Government and armed struggle, liberation was finally won.
- 1910년
Colonial rule begins
The Government-General of Korea launched military rule led by gendarme police.
- 1910년
Launch of the Land Survey Project
The Japanese Government-General of Korea carried out the Land Survey Project under the guise of establishing modern property rights, confiscating land that had not been reported and laying the groundwork for colonial exploitation.
- 1911년
Case of the 105 (105-in Sageon)
Japan fabricated a plot to assassinate Governor-General Terauchi and used it to arrest and imprison numerous nationalist leaders, including members of the Sinminhoe. The incident effectively dismantled the Sinminhoe organization.
Related figures: Ahn Changho (Dosan), Yi Hoeyeong
- 1919년
March 1st Movement
Manse independence rallies swept the country, and the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was established in Shanghai.
Related figures: Yu Gwan-sun, Ahn Changho (Dosan)
- 1919년
Provisional Government founded
The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was established in Shanghai — a fruit of the March 1st Movement and the focal point of the independence movement.
Related figures: Syngman Rhee, Kim Gu
- 1919년
Formation of the Uiyeoldan (Righteous Brotherhood)
Kim Won-bong organized the Uiyeoldan in Jilin, Manchuria, launching a campaign of armed resistance aimed at assassinating Japanese officials and destroying colonial institutions.
Related figures: Kim Wonbong
- 1920년
Battles of Bongo & Cheongsan
Independence armies led by Hong Beomdo and Kim Jwajin scored decisive victories over Japanese forces.
Related figures: Hong Beomdo, Kim Jwajin
- 1920년
Rice Production Increase Program
To compensate for food shortages in the Japanese home islands, the colonial authorities increased rice production in Korea and exported it in large quantities, further worsening the food situation of Korean farmers.
- 1923년
Korean Products Promotion Movement
Initiated in Pyongyang by figures such as Cho Man-sik, this movement promoted the use of domestically produced goods as a campaign to achieve economic self-reliance for the Korean nation.
Related figures: Jo Mansik
- 1923년
Hyeongpyeong Movement (Social Equality Movement)
The Joseon Hyeongpyeongsa was organized in Jinju to demand the abolition of social discrimination against the baekjeong (butcher class). A leading social movement advocating human equality, it spread across the entire country.
- 1926년
June 10th Independence Movement
On the day of King Sunjong's state funeral, students and socialist groups staged independence demonstrations in Seoul, which later became a catalyst for a united national front movement.
Related figures: Emperor Sunjong
- 1927년
Founding of the Singanhoe
Nationalist and socialist forces united in a left-right coalition to form the Singanhoe, the leading organization of the unified national party movement.
Related figures: Sin Chaeho
- 1929년
Gwangju Student Anti-Japanese Movement
An anti-Japanese protest that began with a clash between Korean and Japanese students in Gwangju spread nationwide, developing into the largest student resistance movement since the March First Movement.
- 1932년
Lee & Yun's acts
Lee Bongchang and Yun Bonggil of the Korean Patriotic Corps carried out attacks targeting Japanese officials.
Related figures: Yun Bonggil, Yi Bongchang
- 1938년
Founding of the Korean Volunteers Corps (Joseon Uiyongdae)
Kim Won-bong organized the Korean Volunteers Corps in Wuhan, China. It was the first Korean armed unit formed in mainland China and led armed resistance against Japanese imperial forces.
Related figures: Kim Wonbong
- 1939년
Cultural Erasure Policy and Forced Name Changes (Soshi-kaimei)
Under the banner of 'imperialization,' Japan banned the Korean language, coerced Shinto shrine worship, and forced Koreans to adopt Japanese-style surnames. It represented the height of colonial rule aimed at erasing Korean national identity.
- 1940년
Korean Liberation Army
The Provisional Government created the Korean Liberation Army, a regular force preparing for war against Japan.
Related figures: Kim Gu
- 1942년
Joseon Language Society Incident
Japan arrested and imprisoned members of the Joseon Language Society, which had been researching and promoting the Korean language, branding it an independence movement organization — revealing one facet of the cultural assimilation policy.
Related figures: Han Yong-un (Manhae)
- 1943년
Cairo Declaration
The leaders of the United States, Britain, and China met in Cairo and for the first time pledged Korea's independence on the international stage. The declaration stated that Korea would be made free and independent 'in due course.'
- 1945년
Liberation
With Japan's surrender, Korea reclaimed its nation after 35 years.