Improper Signatures 'Invalidate Korea's Annexation'

[bluesky79]

Historical documents support the view that the treaty that placed Korea under Japanese colonial occupation a century ago was invalid under international law.

The archives of Seoul National University recently disclosed the royal edicts of the annexation treaty proclaimed on Aug. 29, 1910.

The original copy of the Korean edict shows that King Sunjong did not leave his personal signature and state seal on it, which was required for the treaty to take effect, although he signed and sealed the treaty itself.

It instead contained only the king's privy seal which was used solely for administrative approvals, while the Japanese proclamation was stamped with Japan's state seal and the signature of Emperor Meiji with his personal name, Mutsuhito.

Lee Tae-jin, professor emeritus at SNU, said the documents support research that has been done to highlight the invalidity of the annexation.