LORE
This is set in an alternate timeline where Poland-Lithuania survived to the present and expanded its territory, eventually encompassing all of northern Asia, much like Russia irl. In 1392, Ri Sŏng-kye deposed the Koryŏ monarchs and established the Chosŏn dynasty, moving the capital from Kaegyŏng (Kaesŏng, N. Korea) to Hansŏng (Seoul, S. Korea), but in 1395 moved the capital to Sŏgyŏng, later renamed Pyŏngyang (Pyŏngyang, N. Korea). During the rule of Nurgaci of the Jurchens, and their conflict with its neighbors, Chosŏn managed to fend off the Manchu threat like irl, but did not secure any northern territory, so no Mt. Paektu. In the 19th century, Poland-Lithuania established relations with Chosŏn Korea, becoming one of Korea's closest allies, aside from China. The remaining area of what would be North Hamgyŏng province irl was incorporated in Qing, and eventually ceded to Poland-Lithuania in the mid-19th century. The Liancourt Rocks, Ullung island, and Tokdo were also ceded to Poland-Lithuania by Choson in the Convention of Pyŏngyang (1874).
The era of European colonization was in full swing by the mid-19th century. European colonial powers such as Occitania, Portugal, Britain, and Holland had set up colonies all over the world. European acquisitions of land in southern and southeastern Asia set a worrying precedent for East Asia. While Japan and Korea both became extremely isolated, only engaging in minor trade at small ports (Korea: Port of Pusan, Port of Mok'po; Japan: Port of Dejima, Port of Yokohama), Qing was forced to open its borders. Qing was forced into various unfair treaties where it ceded more and more of its territory, such as the surrender of the port of Heunggong to Britain and southern Cuangtong to Occitania. Much like irl, Meiji's ascension to the Japanese throne marked the beginning of a decades-long effort to industrialize and strengthen the country. Along the way, Japan found itself desiring to expand its territory. Japan became aggressive with its neighbor, Korea, often engaging in small skirmishes. in the Central Sea and along the southern coast of Korea. This all culminated in the Kanghwa Island Incident of 1875 where Japan and Holland forced Korea to open its borders and end its period of seclusion. One year later in 1876, Korea was forced to surrender the islands of Cheju (Saishima) and Udo (Shiroyama), as well as open up a new port on the mainland, Minegishi Port (Ryŏng'an).
The Korean monarchy was heavily negligent to the situation outside of the capital, except for the queen. Queen Soong (posthumously Empress Pungyŏng) was outspoken and voiced her concerns of Japan's aggression, and the need for Korea to industrialize. Queen Soong helped to initiate the Kwangmu reforms, which strengthened Korea's military, and industrialized major urban areas. Japan, seeing Queen Soong as a threat to their plot to conquer and Japonize Korea, had her assassinated in 1905. Three years later in 1908, Emperor Hosŏng signed the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1908, which granted nearly all of Kyŏngsang province to Japan.
Japanese administration over Kyŏngsang and the Japonization of the region was extremly harsh. Japanese troops routinely patrolled the streets of major cities, looting homes, massacring civilians, and destroying culture and historical artifacts. The teaching of Hulgŭl, and any part of Korean culture and daily life were snuffed out. Cities in Kyŏngsang were renamed to their Japanese readings (ex. 경상 Kyŏngsang as 慶尚 Tadāki).
The current year is 1929, the current Japanese head of state is Emperor Hirohito (posth. Emperor Shōwa), and the current Korean head of state is King Tong-dŏk. Japan has made moves to annex the entirety of the Korean Peninsula, which has embroiled Korea, along with its allies, Poland-Lithuania, and Great Britain, into a regional conflict. So far, Korea has been able to halt Japanese forces and keep them at the coast and Korea-Tadāki border. Small Tadāki Koreans have began rebelling against their Japanese oppressors in hopes that someday, Tadāki can rejoin the rest of Korea.
Cities of Tadāki Prefecture
Ooka (大岡市 Ōoka-shi), formerly Taegu (대구시)
Aodake (青岳市 Aodake-shi), formerly Ulsan (울산시)
Kamayama (釜山市 Kamayama-shi), formerly Pusan (부산시)
Korean Peninsula TL Map (LINK)
This is set in an alternate timeline where Poland-Lithuania survived to the present and expanded its territory, eventually encompassing all of northern Asia, much like Russia irl. In 1392, Ri Sŏng-kye deposed the Koryŏ monarchs and established the Chosŏn dynasty, moving the capital from Kaegyŏng (Kaesŏng, N. Korea) to Hansŏng (Seoul, S. Korea), but in 1395 moved the capital to Sŏgyŏng, later renamed Pyŏngyang (Pyŏngyang, N. Korea). During the rule of Nurgaci of the Jurchens, and their conflict with its neighbors, Chosŏn managed to fend off the Manchu threat like irl, but did not secure any northern territory, so no Mt. Paektu. In the 19th century, Poland-Lithuania established relations with Chosŏn Korea, becoming one of Korea's closest allies, aside from China. The remaining area of what would be North Hamgyŏng province irl was incorporated in Qing, and eventually ceded to Poland-Lithuania in the mid-19th century. The Liancourt Rocks, Ullung island, and Tokdo were also ceded to Poland-Lithuania by Choson in the Convention of Pyŏngyang (1874).
The era of European colonization was in full swing by the mid-19th century. European colonial powers such as Occitania, Portugal, Britain, and Holland had set up colonies all over the world. European acquisitions of land in southern and southeastern Asia set a worrying precedent for East Asia. While Japan and Korea both became extremely isolated, only engaging in minor trade at small ports (Korea: Port of Pusan, Port of Mok'po; Japan: Port of Dejima, Port of Yokohama), Qing was forced to open its borders. Qing was forced into various unfair treaties where it ceded more and more of its territory, such as the surrender of the port of Heunggong to Britain and southern Cuangtong to Occitania. Much like irl, Meiji's ascension to the Japanese throne marked the beginning of a decades-long effort to industrialize and strengthen the country. Along the way, Japan found itself desiring to expand its territory. Japan became aggressive with its neighbor, Korea, often engaging in small skirmishes. in the Central Sea and along the southern coast of Korea. This all culminated in the Kanghwa Island Incident of 1875 where Japan and Holland forced Korea to open its borders and end its period of seclusion. One year later in 1876, Korea was forced to surrender the islands of Cheju (Saishima) and Udo (Shiroyama), as well as open up a new port on the mainland, Minegishi Port (Ryŏng'an).
The Korean monarchy was heavily negligent to the situation outside of the capital, except for the queen. Queen Soong (posthumously Empress Pungyŏng) was outspoken and voiced her concerns of Japan's aggression, and the need for Korea to industrialize. Queen Soong helped to initiate the Kwangmu reforms, which strengthened Korea's military, and industrialized major urban areas. Japan, seeing Queen Soong as a threat to their plot to conquer and Japonize Korea, had her assassinated in 1905. Three years later in 1908, Emperor Hosŏng signed the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1908, which granted nearly all of Kyŏngsang province to Japan.
Japanese administration over Kyŏngsang and the Japonization of the region was extremly harsh. Japanese troops routinely patrolled the streets of major cities, looting homes, massacring civilians, and destroying culture and historical artifacts. The teaching of Hulgŭl, and any part of Korean culture and daily life were snuffed out. Cities in Kyŏngsang were renamed to their Japanese readings (ex. 경상 Kyŏngsang as 慶尚 Tadāki).
The current year is 1929, the current Japanese head of state is Emperor Hirohito (posth. Emperor Shōwa), and the current Korean head of state is King Tong-dŏk. Japan has made moves to annex the entirety of the Korean Peninsula, which has embroiled Korea, along with its allies, Poland-Lithuania, and Great Britain, into a regional conflict. So far, Korea has been able to halt Japanese forces and keep them at the coast and Korea-Tadāki border. Small Tadāki Koreans have began rebelling against their Japanese oppressors in hopes that someday, Tadāki can rejoin the rest of Korea.
Cities of Tadāki Prefecture
Ooka (大岡市 Ōoka-shi), formerly Taegu (대구시)
Aodake (青岳市 Aodake-shi), formerly Ulsan (울산시)
Kamayama (釜山市 Kamayama-shi), formerly Pusan (부산시)
Korean Peninsula TL Map (LINK)