His Majesty the Emperor of Korea and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, having in view the special and close relations between their respective countries, desiring to promote the common wealth of the two nations and to assure the permanent peace in the Far East, and being convinced that these objectives can be best attained by the annexation of Korea to the Empire of Japan, have resolved to conclude a treaty of such annexation and have, for that purpose, appointed as their plenipotentiaries, that is to say, His Majesty the Emperor of Korea Yi Wan-yong, Prime Minister, and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan Viscount Terauchi Masatake, Resident-General, who upon mutual conference and deliberation have agreed to the following articles:

Article 1. His Majesty the Emperor of Korea makes the complete and permanent cession to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan of all rights of sovereignty over the whole of Korea. Article 2. His Majesty the Emperor of Japan accepts the cession mentioned in the preceding article and consents to the complete annexation of Korea to the Empire of Japan.
Article 3. His Majesty the Emperor of Japan will accord to their Majesties the Emperor and ex-Emperor and His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Korea and their consorts and heirs such titles, dignity, and honor as are appropriate to their respective ranks, and sufficient annual grants will be made for the maintenance of such titles, dignity and honor.
Article 4. His Majesty the Emperor of Japan will also accord appropriate honor and treatment to the members of the Imperial House of Korea and their heirs other than those mentioned in the preceding article, and the funds necessary for the maintenance of such honor and treatment will be granted. Article 5. His Majesty the Emperor of Japan will confer peerage and monetary grants upon those Koreans who, on account of meritorious services, are regarded as deserving such special recognition.
Article 6. In consequence of the aforementioned annexation the Government of Japan assume the entire government and administration of Korea, and undertake to afford full protection for the persons and property of the Koreans obeying the laws there in force to promote the welfare of all such Koreans.
Article 7. The Government of Japan will, so far as circumstances permit, employ in the public service of Japan in Korea those Koreans who accept the new regime loyally and in good faith and who are duly qualified for such service.
Article 8. This treaty, having been approved by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and His Majesty the Emperor of Korea, shall take effect from the state of its promulgation.

In faith whereof, the two plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty and affixed their seals.

August 22, 4th year of Yunghui (1910)

Yi Wan-yong, Prime Minister (seal)

August 22, 43rd year of Meiji (1910)

Marquis Ito Hirobumi, Resident-General (seal)