The Japanese Occupation of Korea lasted from 1910 to 1945, during which Korea was annexed and ruled by Japan. This period was marked by efforts to suppress Korean culture, language, and identity, as Japan aimed to assimilate Koreans into its empire. Many Koreans faced harsh treatment, forced labor, and economic exploitation. During the occupation, Japan implemented various policies to control Korea's resources and infrastructure. The Korean independence movement grew in response, with many Koreans seeking to reclaim their sovereignty. The occupation ended with Japan's defeat in World War II, leading to Korea's liberation and eventual division into North and South Korea.