Korean resistance against Japanese colonial rule was multifaceted, including both passive and active forms. Passive resistance was seen in the continued use of the Korean language in private, secret educational institutes, and the preservation of customs. Active resistance, however, manifested in armed uprisings, such as the Donghak Peasant Revolution, and organised movements like the March 1st Movement, which saw mass demonstrations across Korea. While these efforts were often met with brutal suppression, they were effective in maintaining a sense of Korean identity and national pride, laying the groundwork for post-World War II independence movements.

Korean nationalism evolved significantly during the Japanese occupation as a response to the harsh policies of cultural suppression and political control. Initially, nationalism was expressed through cultural and religious movements that aimed to preserve Korean identity. Following the March 1st Movement of 1919, nationalism became more politically charged, with the establishment of provisional governments and armed resistance groups. Intellectuals and activists also played a key role in fostering a sense of national consciousness through secret societies and education. The oppression faced under Japanese rule acted as a catalyst, transforming Korean nationalism from a cultural sentiment into an active political resistance.

Under Japanese rule, Korean media and literature were heavily censored and controlled. Korean newspapers and publications were either shut down or brought under strict surveillance, with content being heavily monitored to ensure it aligned with Japanese propaganda. Literature that promoted Korean nationalism, celebrated Korean history, or criticised the colonial government was banned. Despite this, Korean writers and intellectuals often used allegories and metaphors to subtly resist and critique colonial rule. This period also saw the production of works in secret, which preserved Korean culture and fueled the resistance movement, demonstrating the resilience of Korean intellectualism under oppressive conditions.

The Japanese colonial administration dismantled the traditional Korean class system, known as the Yangban, which was the ruling aristocracy. By introducing a new administrative structure and legal system, they replaced the Yangban with Japanese officials and Korean collaborators. This effectively eroded the traditional Korean societal hierarchy and replaced it with a colonial structure designed to facilitate Japanese control. The disruption of the class system also led to a loss of Korean cultural heritage, as the Yangban were traditionally patrons of the arts and education. Social mobility became limited and was often contingent on collaboration with the Japanese authorities, leading to deep societal divisions and resentment.

The Japanese occupation had a profound influence on post-liberation politics in Korea. The power vacuum left by Japan's surrender in 1945 led to a struggle for control between various Korean factions, including those who had resisted Japanese rule and collaborators who had benefited from it. The differing ideologies of these groups, along with the external influence of the Soviet Union in the north and the United States in the south, led to political fragmentation. This ultimately resulted in the establishment of two separate governments on the peninsula, sowing the seeds for the Korean War and shaping the political landscape of Korea for decades to come.