[Joseon Images] Korea during World War I
(WorldNews South Korea)

German sailors from the SMS Jaguar visit the palace circa 1907. / Robert Neff Collection By Robert Neff Just before 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1914, the ground began to shake in Jemulpo (modern Incheon). At first it began as a low rumble but `became more violent [and then] gradually became feeble and died after one hour and thirty-three minutes.` The earthquake was not the most shocking news that morning. Europeans, in the Far East, awoke to discover their countries were at war. Embassies and consulates immediately began organizing reservists. Germans throughout Japan gathered at Shimonoseki and boarded a steamer for Tsingtao (modern Qingdao, China) via Busan, Korea. From the same port,...