"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] PROTOCOL. (Protocol between Japan and Korea, 1904)

[Place] Seoul
[Date] February 23, 1904
[Source] Kyujoyakuisan, Dai 3 kan (Chosen, Ryukyu), pp.187-189.
[Notes]
[Full text]

Signed at Seoul, in Japanese and Corean, February 23, 1904 (37th year of Meiji).

Published February 27, 1904.

Hayashi Gonsuke, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and Major-General Ye-Tchi-Yong, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs ad interim of His Majesty the Emperor of Corea, being respectively duly empowered for the purpose, have agreed upon the following Articles:--

ARTICLE I.

For the purpose of maintaining a permanent and solid friendship between Japan and Corea and firmly establishing peace in the Far East, the Imperial Government of Corea shall place full confidence in the Imperial Government of Japan and adopt the advice of the latter in regard to improvements in administration.

ARTICLE II.

The Imperial Government of Japan shall in a spirit of firm friendship ensure the safety and repose of the Imperial House of Corea.

ARTICLE III.

The Imperial Government of Japan definitively guarantee the independence and territorial integrity of the Corean Empire.

ARTICLE IV.

In case the welfare of the Imperial House of Corea or the territorial integrity of Corea is endangered by aggression of a third Power or internal disturbances, the Imperial Government of Japan shall immediately take such necessary measures as the circumstances require, and in such cases the Imperial Government of Corea shall give full facilities to promote the action of the Imperial Japanese Government.

The Imperial Government of Japan may, for the attainment of the above-mentioned object, occupy, when the circumstances require it, such places as may be necessary from strategical points of view.

ARTICLE V.

The Governments of the two countries shall not in future, without mutual consent, conclude with a third Power such an arrangement as may be contrary to the principles of the present Protocol.

ARTICLE VI.

Details in connection with the present Protocol shall be arranged, as the circumstances may require, between the Representative of Japan and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Corea.

HAYASHI GONSUKE, (Seal)

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.

The 23rd day of the 2nd month of the 37th year of Meiji.

Major-General YE-TCHI-YONG, (Seal)

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs ad interim.

The 23rd day of the 2nd month of the 8th year of Kwang-Mu.