Published on September 25, 2019.
This article introduces the international academic conference held on November 16, 2001, under the auspices of Harvard University’s Asia Center, discussing the legality of the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty, South Korea’s claim of illegality, and the view of Cambridge University Professor J. Crawford from the standpoint of international law.

September 25, 2019.
“As for a country that could not survive on its own, it was common at the time for a surrounding country to incorporate that country from the standpoint of international order, and the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty was not illegal under international law.”
The following is a chapter published on March 6, 2018.
◆On November 16, 2001, an international academic conference was held under the auspices of the Asia Center of Harvard University in the United States.
It is said that this conference was prepared under the leadership of Korean scholars, with support from the Korea Foundation under the South Korean government.
The South Korean side intended to establish, on the international stage, the theory that the Japan-Korea annexation was illegal.
Scholars from the United States, Britain, South Korea, and Japan gathered there, and a debate was held.
The South Korean side first argued how illegally Japan had annexed Korea.
However, Professor J. Crawford of Cambridge University, an expert in international law, strongly argued the case for legality.
In other words, he argued that “as for a country that could not survive on its own, it was common at the time for a surrounding country to incorporate that country from the standpoint of international order, and the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty was not illegal under international law.”
Naturally, the South Korean side reacted fiercely and argued that “it had been forced by Japan,” but the professor is said to have sharply rebuked them, saying, “The argument that something is illegal because it was forced is one that emerged after the First World War, and at that time it was not something that would become an issue.”
As a result, it is said that the South Korean side left dejectedly, their shoulders drooping.” P. 106.
It has now become increasingly clear to the people that our Japan is surrounded by a grave group of states:
a kidnapper, North Korea;
an island thief, South Korea;
and a sea robber, China.
Sunday, September 23, 2012.