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Following the end of the [[Russo-Japanese War]] and the signing of the [[Treaty of Portsmouth]], in which Japan’s supremacy on the Korean peninsula was acknowledged by Russia, the Japanese statesman, Ito Hirobumi, presented Emperor Gojong with a draft of the Protectorate Treaty on 15 November, 1905. He declared the contents to be final and non-revisable and insisted that the Emperor and his ministers accept its terms.  

Following the end of the [[Russo-Japanese War]] and the signing of the [[Treaty of Portsmouth]], in which Japan’s supremacy on the Korean peninsula was acknowledged by Russia, the Japanese statesman, Ito Hirobumi, presented Emperor Gojong with a draft of the Protectorate Treaty on 15 November, 1905. He declared the contents to be final and non-revisable and insisted that the Emperor and his ministers accept its terms.  

Faced with the disadvantage of having the Imperial palace occupied by Japanese Imperial Army troops, who were also deployed throughout the country, at strategic locations, the Koreans were left with little alternative but to sign.

Faced with the disadvantage of having the Imperial palace occupied by Japanese Imperial Army troops, who were also deployed at strategic locations throughout the country, the Koreans were left with little alternative but to sign.

The treaty was signed on 17 November, 1905, by the Korean minister of foreign affairs, Bak Je-sun, and the Japanese minister, Hayasi Konsuke. The Emperor Gojong and the Prime Minister, Han Gyu-seol refused to sign the treaty. This treaty transferred full authority over Korea’s diplomatic relations, as well as control over all trade through Korean ports, to Japan. This would be managed by a Japan-appointed Resident-General - the first being Ito Hirobumi, who was appointed in March, 1906. By signing the treaty, Korea was deprived of its diplomatic sovereignty and became a protectorate of Japan. <ref>http://english.historyfoundation.or.kr/?sub_num=35#arti3 Russo-Japanese War and Japanese Extortion of Korea’s Sovereignty</ref>

The treaty was signed on 17 November, 1905, by the Korean minister of foreign affairs, Bak Je-sun, and the Japanese minister, Hayasi Konsuke. The Emperor Gojong and the Prime Minister, Han Gyu-seol refused to sign the treaty. This treaty transferred full authority over Korea’s diplomatic relations, as well as control over all trade through Korean ports, to Japan. This would be managed by a Japan-appointed Resident-General - the first being Ito Hirobumi, who was appointed in March, 1906. By signing the treaty, Korea was deprived of its diplomatic sovereignty and became a protectorate of Japan. <ref>http://english.historyfoundation.or.kr/?sub_num=35#arti3 Russo-Japanese War and Japanese Extortion of Korea’s Sovereignty</ref>