After the invasion by Japan, however, in the 1620s and 1630s the Joseon Dynasty was not able to defend Korea from invasion by [[Manchu]] troops. It agreed to recognize the legitimacy of the new [[Qing Dynasty]] as rulers of China. Korea then enjoyed more than two centuries of peace. In fact, the country isolated itself from the outside world so much that it was often called the "[[Hermit Kingdom]]".
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After the invasion by Japan, however, in the 1620s and 1630s the Joseon Dynasty was not able to defend Korea from invasion by [[Manchu]] troops. in 1636, [[Qing Dynasty]] defeated Koreans and King [[Injo of Joseon]] pledged his loyalty to Qing Emperor at [[Samjeondo Monument]], bowing down at [[Hong Taiji]]'s feet eight times. There [[Injo of Joseon]] and [[Hong Taiji]] signed a treaty, which included that Manchus would take Crown Prince Sohyeon, and Hyojong to China as captive. Korea then enjoyed more than two centuries of peace. In fact, the country isolated itself from the outside world so much that it was often called the "[[Hermit Kingdom]]".
Beginning in the 1870s, Japan began to force Korea to move out of China's sphere of influence into its own. In 1895, [[Empress Myeongseong of Korea|Empress Min of Korea]] was assassinated by the Japanese under [[Miura Goro]]'s directive (Kim et al. 1976). After the [[First Sino-Japanese War|Sino-Japanese]] and [[Russo-Japanese War]]s, Japan gained dominance over Korea. In 1910, Japan forced Korea to sign the [[Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty]], although the treaty was illegitimate when considering the fact that it was not signed by the Korean emperor (the head of state) but rather his ministers and advisors.
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Beginning in the 1870s, Japan began to force Korea to move out of China's sphere of influence into its own. In 1895, [[Empress Myeongseong of Korea|Empress Min of Korea]] was assassinated by the Japanese under [[Miura Goro]]'s directive (Kim et al. 1976). After the [[First Sino-Japanese War|Sino-Japanese]] and [[Russo-Japanese War]]s, Japan and [[Qing Dynasty]] signed [[Treaty of Shimonoseki]]. As a result, [[Qing Dynasty]] recognized the independence of Korea and renounced any claims to that country. In 1897 [[Gojong of Joseon|Gojong]], or Emperor Gwangmu, proclaims the short-lived [[Korean Empire]]. After [[Russo-Japanese War]]s, Japan gained dominance over Korea. In 1910, Japan forced Korea to sign the [[Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty]], although the treaty was illegitimate when considering the fact that it was not signed by the Korean emperor (the head of state) but rather his ministers and advisors. Japan gained dominance over Korea. In 1910, Japan forced Korea to sign the [[Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty]], although the treaty was illegitimate when considering the fact that it was not signed by the Korean emperor (the head of state) but rather his ministers and advisors.