<P> Korea under Japanese rule began with the end of the short - lived Korean Empire in 1910 and ended at the conclusion of World War II in 1945 . Japanese rule of Korea was the outcome of a process that began with the Japan -- Korea Treaty of 1876 , whereby a complex coalition of the Meiji government , military , and business officials sought to integrate Korea both politically and economically into the Empire of Japan . A major stepping - stone towards the Japanese occupation of Korea was the Japan -- Korea Treaty of 1905 , in which the then - Korean Empire was declared a protectorate of Japan . The annexation of Korea by Japan was set up in the Japan -- Korea Treaty of 1910 , which was never actually signed by the Korean Regent , Gojong . </P>
<P> Korea under Japanese rule began with the end of the short - lived Korean Empire in 1910 and ended at the conclusion of World War II in 1945 . Japanese rule of Korea was the outcome of a process that began with the Japan -- Korea Treaty of 1876 , whereby a complex coalition of the Meiji government , military , and business officials sought to integrate Korea both politically and economically into the Empire of Japan . A major stepping - stone towards the Japanese occupation of Korea was the Japan -- Korea Treaty of 1905 , in which the then - Korean Empire was declared a protectorate of Japan . The annexation of Korea by Japan was set up in the Japan -- Korea Treaty of 1910 , which was never actually signed by the Korean Regent , Gojong . </P>
what country 's army occupied korea in the early 20th century
what country 's army occupied korea in the early 20th century
Japan
Japan