“Japanese rule of Korea had an entirely negative impact on Korea’s economy and society.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that Japanese rule of Korea had an entirely negative impact on Korea’s economy and society. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement. The impact on economy and society must be clearly indicated but there does not need to be an equal focus on both. Candidates may refer to the annexation of Korea in 1910 and the changes that occurred in Korean society and economy following this. For impact on society candidates may discuss the ways Korean culture and language were undermined, particularly from the 1930s onwards with the policy of assimilation. Under this policy, Koreans were to regard themselves as Japanese and, any resistance to this, was brutally suppressed. Candidates may refer to economic impacts including land reform, industrialisation, the development of infrastructure and the conscription of Koreans into civilian labour during the Second World War.