TREATY BETWEEN JAPAN AND COREA
SIGNED NOVEMBER 17TH, 1905
[Translated from the Japanese official text.]
The Japanese and Corean Governments, being desirous of strengthening the identity of interests which unite the two Empires, have, with the same end in view, agreed upon the following Articles, which will remain binding until the power and prosperity of Corea are recognised as having been firmly established :—
I. The Japanese Government, through the Foreign Office at Tokyo, will henceforward take control and direct the foreign relations and affairs of Corea, aud Japanese diplomatic representatives and Consuls will protect the subjects and interests of Corca abroad.
II. The Japanese Government will take upon itself the duty of carrying out the existing Treaties between Corea and foreign countries; and the Corean Govern- ment binds itself not to negociate any Treaty or Agreement of a diplomatic nature. without the intermediary of the Japanese Government.
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III. (a) The Japanese Government will appoint under his Majesty the Emperor of Corea a Resident-General as its representative, who will remain in Seoul chiefly to administer diplomatic affairs with the prerogative of having private audience with his Majesty the Emperor of Corea.
(b) The Japanese Government is entitled to appoint a Resident to every Corean open port and other places where the presence of such Resident is considered necessary. These Residents, under the supervision of the Resident-General, will administer all the duties hitherto appertaining to Japanese Consulates in Corea and all other affairs necessary for the satisfactory fulfilment of the provisions of this Treaty.
IV. All the existing Treaties and Agreements between Japan and Corea, within limits not prejudical to the provisions of this Treaty, will remain in force.
V. The Japanese Government guarantees to maintain the security and respect the dignity of the Corean Imperial House.
In witness whereof the undersigned, with due power granted by their respective Governments, have signed this Treaty and affixed their seals.
HAYASHI GONSUKE,
Japanese Minister Plenipotentiary and
Envoy Extraordinary.
PAK CHAI SYUL,
Corean Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs.