In Seoul, on 23 February 1904 (37th year of Meiji / 8th year of Kwang-Mu), the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire sign the Protocol (Japan–Korea Protocol / 日韓議定書). The plenipotentiaries are Hayashi Gonsuke, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Emperor of Japan, and Major-General Yi Ji-yong (Ye-Tchi-Yong), Minister of State for Foreign Affairs ad interim of the Emperor of Korea. The text is signed in Japanese and Korean; it is published on 27 February 1904.

Article I provides that, for the purpose of maintaining a permanent and solid friendship between Japan and Korea and firmly establishing peace in the Far East, the Imperial Government of Korea shall place full confidence in the Imperial Government of Japan and adopt the advice of the latter in regard to improvements in administration.

Article II undertakes that the Imperial Government of Japan shall, in a spirit of firm friendship, ensure the safety and repose of the Imperial House of Korea. Article III states that the Imperial Government of Japan definitively guarantees the independence and territorial integrity of the Korean Empire.

Article IV provides that, in case the welfare of the Imperial House of Korea or the territorial integrity of Korea is endangered by aggression of a third Power or internal disturbances, the Imperial Government of Japan shall immediately take such necessary measures as the circumstances require, and the Imperial Government of Korea shall give full facilities to promote the action of Japan. For that object Japan may, when the circumstances require it, occupy such places as may be necessary from strategical points of view.

Article V forbids the two Governments thenceforth, without mutual consent, to conclude with a third Power any arrangement contrary to the principles of the Protocol. Article VI leaves details in connection with the Protocol to be arranged, as circumstances may require, between the Representative of Japan and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Korea.

The Protocol is signed shortly after the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War and opens the way to later agreements that further restrict Korean autonomy; it is not the Agreement of August 1904 nor the protectorate or annexation treaties of 1905–1910.

Image: Hayashi Gonsuke; public domain, Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Japan–Korea Treaty of February 1904. Treaty text: Protocol between Japan and Korea, Seoul, 23 February 1904 (English text).