On July 31, 1907, when the struggle for national sovereignty was at its peak, the newly enthroned emperor issued a decree regarding the dissolution of the military.

They wanted to evict the Joseon Infantry Division, which occupied the best site (the current location of the government office) in front of Gwanghwamun, the former Yukjo (六曺) Street.

There were constant suggestions to relocate the Joseon Infantry Division, which would often drink in the streets of downtown and cause conflicts with the locals.

Particularly, as the completion of the newly constructed Japanese General Government Building inside Gyeongbokgung Palace approached, these movements were openly taking place.

[1] For example, an article titled "The Relocation of the Joseon Infantry Division, Increased Security Compared to Last Year" is preserved in the March 29, 1925 issue of the Maeil Shinbo newspaper.

It states the following: "The Joseon Infantry Division has decided to relocate to another place due to the destruction of the Government-General Annex in Gyeongbokgung Palace, and it is currently selecting a new site.

The original purpose of the division was to protect the royal family, so it was considering a location near Changdeokgung Palace, but it has not yet made a decision.

[1] After the Japanese dissolved the Korean Empire's military in 1907, the Chosun Infantry Division remained in the area of Seoul (then known as Keijō) for 33 years.

The term "Royal Guard" (근위) was removed from the unit's name, which previously indicated protection of the emperor or king from a close distance.

The term of service is two years, and the qualifications are as follows: height of at least 5 feet 2 inches (approximately 158 cm), age between 18 and 30, and completion of an ordinary school education or equivalent.

Discussions are underway between the government general and the military headquarters to reduce the current single battalion to a company of 50 members.

During a time when the monthly salary was 20 won, and there were no suitable occupations other than farming for those with average education, there was fierce competition for recruitment, with a ratio of 7 to 10 applicants per spot.

[9] As the Joseon Infantry Division, they lacked immediate tasks and faced increasingly difficult economic conditions, experiencing a severe recession in various aspects.

The officials were caught up in a wave of financial constraints and salary reductions, and the situation became increasingly difficult, with many students unable to pay their tuition fees and dropping out midway.

Given the circumstances, the Joseon Infantry Division, which guaranteed a minimum two-year term of service for young Koreans, was seen as a stable and attractive job.

An article titled 'Unusual Phenomenon of Increasing Applicants in Recent Years' was published in the Maeil Shinbo newspaper on February 14, 1930.

(Omitted) On the other hand, the soldiers who had completed their two-year service were reluctant to leave Seoul, thinking that only hardships awaited them if they returned to their hometowns.

"However, even if a young person managed to be recruited into the Joseon Infantry Division, breaking through fierce competition then, they did not have the opportunity to complete the full two-year term of service.

As there was no longer a need to guard the palaces in Korea, it was proposed to abolish or downsize the Korean Infantry Division to a smaller unit.

As colonial rulers, they faced the aftermath of the worldwide Great Depression, leading to personnel reductions, organizational downsizing, salary cuts, and other difficulties.

[1] Having carried the legacy of the Korean military, the Joseon Infantry Division concluded its poignant journey that lasted for over 20 years with a dissolution ceremony on April 8, 1931.

On April 8, 1931, at 10 a.m., a group of about 200 troops held a disbandment ceremony the current government at Gukyo Street, Gwanghwamun, Seoul.

The soldiers of the disbanded Korean Infantry Division, who used to start their daily routines at 7:30 a.m. to the sound of the bugle, suddenly became unemployed and took up positions as prisoners, penal officers, or assistant managers at the Keijō Electric Company.

[9] Shortly thereafter, the commanding officers of the Joseon Infantry Division, who had aligned themselves with the Japanese army, were promoted and concurrently assigned to the Korean military headquarters.

Until the fall of the Japanese Empire, about 11 million simple life insurance policies were sold semi-forcibly, mostly paid by ordinary citizens.

Under the agreement reached during the normalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan in 1965, the Cheshin Simplified Life Insurance was granted the site of the Korean Infantry Division.

Cheongheondang, a Korean-style building used by the Joseon Infantry, was moved to Taereung Military Academy when the Government Complex was built in 1967.