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The Japanese Colonial Period: The era from 1910 to 1945 when the Empire of Japan forcibly annexed and colonized Joseon. Discrimination against Koreans was institutionalized. 1910s - The Period of Military Rule During this time, military police patrolled the streets, and laws like the Joseon Flogging Ordinance allowed for corporal punishment without a court ruling—a law applied exclusively to Koreans. Through the Land Survey Project and the Company Act, property was unfairly confiscated, and Koreans faced immense hurdles in establishing businesses. Freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and association were denied, and teachers even wore swords to create an atmosphere of intimidation. Under the First Joseon Education Ordinance, Koreans were restricted to vocational and elementary education. 1920s - The Period of Cultural Governance A deceptive political shift following the March 1st Movement of 1919. This era saw the establishment of the Provisional Government and victories in the Battles of Bongo-dong and Cheongsan-ri. While the military police were replaced by ordinary police and the press seemed to be loosened, the number of police tripled and media censorship remained rampant. The Public Security Preservation Act was enacted to suppress and punish independence activists and socialists. This period was characterized by the widespread use of informants and deliberate attempts to divide the Korean people. 1930s–1945 - The Period of National Annihilation Japan fully committed to war, leading to the Manchurian Incident, World War II, and the attack on Pearl Harbor. Japan allied with Italy and Germany as militarism peaked. Forced labor and conscription intensified, and food like rice was moved to a rationing system. The Soshi-kaimei (name-changing policy) and Shinto shrine worship were enforced. *Note: Changing one's name did not necessarily make one a pro-Japanese collaborator. Refusing to do so resulted in severe daily hardships, such as taxes not being accepted or children being barred from school, forcing even ordinary citizens to comply.* The Korean language and history were completely banned from education. On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered and Joseon gained independence. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were major factors in Japan's surrender. You can be anyone during this era. Whether a collaborator, an independence activist, or just an ordinary citizen. You may follow the original history or forge an alternate path of your own.