Korea: 19th century French map of the Korean Peninsula

Japan began to force Korea out of the Manchu Qing Dynasty's traditional sphere of influence into its own in the 1870s. As a result of the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5), the Qing Dynasty had to give up such a position according to the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which was concluded between China and Japan in 1895. That same year, Korean Empress Myeongseong was assassinated by Japanese agents.

In 1897, the Joseon dynasty proclaimed the Korean Empire (1897–1910), and King Gojong became Emperor Gojong. This brief period saw the partially successful modernisation of the military, economy, real property laws, education system, and various industries, influenced by the political encroachment into Korea of Russia, Japan, France, and the United States.

Imperial Japan assumed control over Korea from 1910 until its defeat in 1945 ended World War II. Korea was one state until 1948, when it was split into North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), and South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea.

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