Iljinhoe Petition for Merger

On 4 December 1909 the collaborationist Iljinhoe issued a statement calling for Korea and Japan to merge and petitioned the emperor, the Resident-General and the prime minister for annexation.

The Iljinhoe grew out of the Yusinhoe that Song Byeong-jun founded in August 1904; it soon took its new name and in December absorbed Yi Yong-gu’s Jinbohoe. During the Russo-Japanese War it sent members to carry Japanese army supplies and build railways, and in 1905 it issued a declaration urging that Korea’s foreign affairs be entrusted to Japan, openly backing the Eulsa Treaty.

After Ahn Jung-geun killed Itō Hirobumi in October 1909, the Iljinhoe published a "Statement on Korea–Japan Merger" in the name of its president Yi Yong-gu on 4 December and petitioned Emperor Sunjong, the Resident-General and Prime Minister Lee Wan-yong for annexation. The Korea Association, the Northwest Society and others denounced the statement, and newspapers rebutted it. The Iljinhoe claimed a million members, though the real figure is thought to have been far smaller.

After annexation the Government-General dissolved all political groups in September 1910, and the Iljinhoe closed after receiving 150,000 won as a dissolution payment.