Korean immigration to Mexico in the spring of 1905 led directly to the Japanese takeover of Korea six months later.

All this had been accomplished without giving the appearance of bullying Korea that could raise questions in the United States about Japan's true intentions. In short, Japan could plausibly cite humanitarian concern for the welfare of overseas Koreans that would on the surface appear to be legitimate.

Foolishly, the Korean government had failed to post diplomats in Mexico and Hawaii to protect its immigrants.

Six months later I was in Paris. I was 16, and it all started to happen.

Since emigration to Mexico was illegal and carried out without government permission, the immigrants initially had no passports. A competent foreign office, moreover, would never have allowed its people to go to a place like the Yucatan where labor conditions were terrible.

Since emigration to Mexico was illegal and carried out without government permission, the immigrants initially had no passports, ... A competent foreign office, moreover, would never have allowed its people to go to a place like the Yucatan where labor conditions were terrible.