RookieHistorian
Banned
Is there anyway for Korea to westernize (similar possibly to Japan) before it gets absorbed by Japan (and would this possibly make Japan's annexation harder?)
Is there anyway for Korea to westernize (similar possibly to Japan) before it gets absorbed by Japan (and would this possibly make Japan's annexation harder?)
Use the Geomun Island Incident as the POD where the British Empire extends much more influence than OTL.
The OP didn't call for having to be on par with Japan. Furthermore, all three incidents which you mentioned are just too insignificant (except for the French plundering) for there to be any change to or protection of Joseon.That's far too late to make Korea on-par with Japan. A better POD would be either the General Sherman Incident & French Campaign, or the Korean Expedition.
The OP didn't call for having to be on par with Japan. Furthermore, all three incidents which you mentioned are just too insignificant (except for the French plundering) for there to be any change to or protection of Joseon.
If Russia wins the Russo-Japanese War (or at least causes a stalemate so that Japan cannot win), then it could delay any attempt by Japan to annex Korea. Korea was slowly modernizing by them, and if neither Japan or Russia dominates the region, Korea could retain its independence by balancing the two powers. By 1920-30, Korea could be modernized and powerful enough to retain its independence absent an outright invasion and serious war.