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| 1912 |
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| Preempting any opposition to its control, the government-general made some 50,000 arrests of a political nature, having already shut down the newspapers and presses. There were 140,000 arrests in 1918. | 1 |
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| 1916, Oct.–1919 |
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| Hasegawa Yoshimichi (1850–1924) replaced Terauchi as governor-general of Korea. He resigned in the midst of the March First movement (1919). | 2 |
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| 1919, March 1 |
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The MARCH FIRST MOVEMENT was an explosion of nationalist pride that erupted after nearly a decade of brutal repression. Inspired by Woodrow Wilson's (1856–1924) pronouncement on behalf of self-determination, Koreans (like Chinese and Vietnamese) expected big things from the Versailles Peace Conference. Syngman Rhee attended on behalf of the Korean National Association. The Korean Young Independence Corps, founded by students in Japan, had ratified (Feb. 8, 1919) a statement written by Yi Kwang-su calling for independence. Christian and Buddhist leaders in Korea were stimulated by these and other actions and planned a movement at home. The date was set for March 3, when the funeral for King Kojong (d. Jan. 22) was scheduled, a timely date inasmuch as it was to be a focus of nationalistic feeling. Later it was changed to March 1. A “declaration of independence” (penned by Ch'oe Nam-s n, 1890–1957) was drawn up, as were various other documents for the international community. That morning, the signers of the “declaration” met at a restaurant in Seoul, delivered a copy of it to the governor-general's office, and announced their plans. Mass demonstrations and marches were held throughout the country: only seven of Korea's 218 counties had no “disturbances” that day; well over 1 million people participated. | 3 |
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| May |
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| The Japanese called for military backup and crushed the movement everywhere. Japanese records reported 533 dead, 1,409 wounded, and 12,522 arrested (between March and Dec.). Korean figures were far higher: over 7,500 killed, some 15,000 injured, and 45,000 arrested. The Western powers did nothing and showed no interest. Despite its failure, the March First movement was a great spur to the independence movement and became a legendary event in modern Korean history. | 4 |
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| April 9 |
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| The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was founded in Shanghai; it brought together all the expatriate Korean communities. Syngman Rhee became president, and cabinet posts went to An Ch'ang-ho, Yi Tong-hwi (1873–1928 or 1935), Kim Kyu-sik (1881–1950), Mun Ch'ang-bm, and Ch'oe Chae-hyng. | 5 |
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| Sept |
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When Hara Takashi (Kei, 1856–1921) became Japan's prime minister, he instituted a less draconian style to the government-general of Korea under the slogan of “harmony between Japan and Korea.” Adm. Sait Makoto (1856–1936) was chosen as the new governor-general. | 6 |
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