In this year,Korea was annexed by Japan 100 years ago. It has been said that this event,is what caused Korea to go downhill..and was one of the factors that ended up with the country divided between North and South. I can imagine the idea has been asked about before..at least I think so.
But after searching for a few minutes,I could not find much. The whole scope that led to Korea being annexed by Japan is similar to China,in a few ways I think..weak Dynastic base..leading to foreign influence and spread of power.
But,Korea did try to modernize itself shortly before the annexation..as far as I know..Korea started to in about the mid to late 1800's..around the same time as Japan. So why was Korea annexed? Was there something that Japan did,and Korea did not? (Meji Restoration,allying with European powers.)
Or was it some circumstance that was out of Korea's control? Let's throw out some ideas as to how Korea can either remain "independent" (Out of Japanese annexation) or Korea strong enough to rebuff attacks..but not actually attack Japan..because that would be a bit to much..or is it...what would East Asian history be like if Korea was able to remain on its own?