The treaty preamble asserted that Yi Ji-yong, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs ad interim of His Majesty the Emperor of Korea, and Hayashi Gonsuke, the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, were “respectively duly empowered” to negotiate and to agree upon the specific language of the proposed bilateral treaty.

Article 1. For the purpose of maintaining a permanent and solid friendship between Korea and Japan and firmly establishing peace in the Far East, the Imperial Government of Korea shall place full confidence in the Imperial Government of Japan, and adopt the advice of the latter in regard to improvements in administration. Article 2. The Imperial Government of Japan shall, in a spirit of firm friendship, ensure the safety and repose of the Imperial House of Korea.
Article 3. The Imperial Government of Japan shall definitively guarantee the independence and territorial integrity of the Korean Empire.
Article 4. In case the welfare of the Imperial House of Korea or the territorial integrity of Korea is endangered by aggression of a third power or internal disturbances, the Imperial Government of Japan shall immediately take such necessary measures as circumstances requires, and in such case the Imperial Government of Korea shall give full facilities to promote the action of the Imperial Japanese Government.
The Imperial Government of Japan may for the attainment of the abovementioned object occupy when the circumstances require such places as be necessary from strategic points of view.
Article 5. The Government of the two countries shall no, in future without mutual consent, conclude with a third power such an agreement as may be contrary to the principles of the present treaty.
Article 6. Details in connection with the present treaty shall be arranged as the circumstances may require between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Korea and the representative of the Empire of Japan.

February 23, 8th year of Gwangmu (1904)

Yi Ji-yong, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs ad interim

February 23, 37th year of Meiji (1904)

Hayashi Gonsuke, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary