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Why did Japan annex Korea in 1910?

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Map of the Korean Peninsula highlighted in orange, showing North Korea in the north and South Korea in the south. The peninsula is bordered by China and Russia to the north, the Yellow Sea to the west, the East Sea (Sea of Japan) to the east, and Japan across the sea to the southeast. A small inset globe at the top left shows the peninsula's location in East Asia. — Korea Map of the Korean Peninsula, indicating northern and southern regions.

Japan’s annexation of Korea in 1910 was the culmination of a long-term strategy of imperial expansion and the result of its victory in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05).12

Following the Meiji Restoration, Japan modernized its economy and military, adopting an aggressive foreign policy similar to that of Western colonial powers. Japan viewed Korea as a key objective for its regional influence, leading to conflicts with China and Russia. After defeating Russia, Japan secured "paramount interest" in Korea through the Treaty of Portsmouth.231

Japan systematically eroded Korean sovereignty by:
* Imposing a protectorate treaty in 1905, which stripped Korea of control over its foreign affairs.13
* Forcing the abdication of Emperor Gojong in 1907 after he attempted to seek international support at The Hague.13
* Disbanding the Korean army and suppressing domestic resistance.13

By 1910, having neutralized both internal opposition and external rivals, Japan formally annexed the peninsula to reorganize its economy and society to serve Japanese interests.413