부산광역시

In 1876, Busan became the first modern port of Joseon. Following the signing of the unequal treaty known as Joseon-Japan Treaty (Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876), Joseon was forced to open the gateway of Busan Port. The arrival of foreigners at the newly opened port transformed the city's landscape. The area around Choryang Wagwan was redeveloped into a residential district for Japanese settlers. The other powers also began to access Busan Port. Western diplomats, merchants, and missionaries arrived in Busan with various intentions.
Modern diplomacy and trade concepts were unfamiliar to Koreans at that time. The sovereignty of Joseon was in jeopardy and its industries were undermined. In 1883, the Joseon government sought to regain control by establishing the Maritime Affairs Office and the Supervisory Office at Busan Port. Nevertheless, these measures proved insufficient to navigate the upheaval of the era. Amid a turbulent and uneven path to modernization, Joseon gradually lost its sovereignty.

Busan’s modernity was shaped through the process of colonization. The Japanese government sought to construct a colonial city in Busan, recognizing its strategic position as a gateway and key military transportation hub.Busan rapidly transformed into a modern city. Railroads and streetcars transported people and materials more quickly, and maritime traffic became more frequent than before. Mail and telephones enabled the rapid exchange of information. People grew accustomed to the Western calendar and the modern concept of time.
The tide of tradition gave way to the bustle of modern life. Shopping districts sprang up, and a wide array of modern goods spurred consumer culture. As times changed, travel and tourism emerged as new cultural norms.

After the forced Korea-Japan merger, the Japanese imperialists continued to exploit and oppress our nation. They did not hesitate to act cruelly and inhumanely, but they could not break the will of our people to achieve independence. The strong desire for independence sparked a significant movement that became a major turning point in history. The history of the anti-Japanese movement, including the March 1st Movement, continued unabated, with the people of Busan actively engaging in various independence activities both at home and abroad.
Schools were established to cultivate skills, and ethnic capital was nurtured to counter economic exploitation. In this process, independence activists from Busan played a vital role.