Korea in Transition is about the trials and tribulations Korea faced as it moved toward complete annexation by Japan --- which occured officially in 1910.

This is a key moment in Korean history. It is also a key moment in US-Korea relations - and a key time period in the current anti-US culture in South Korea.

In 1904-1905, the Russo-Japanese War was fought primarily for control of Korea, but also influence in Manchuria. The Russian Empire lost in stunning fashion. This was the 2nd war since the late 1800s Japan had fought over influence of Korea - the first being against China - who had a centuries-long close relationship with different Korean kingdoms.

One of the recurrent selling points for anti-US feeling in South Korean society has been what it called the Taft-Katsura "treaty" - which just about every Korean you will meet has been taught was a "deal" in which the US "gave" Korea to Japan "in exchange" for the Philippines and/or Hawaii.

yada yada yada...

I am just starting to read the book, and I'll probably write about parts that interest me as I go.

Below are two extracts I took today:



And