The Seikanron (Japanese: 征韓論; Korean: 정한론; lit. 'Advocacy of a punitive expedition to Korea'[1] or 'Proposal to Punish Korea'[2][3] or 'Argument for a Conquest of Korea'[4]) was a major political debate in Japan during 1873 regarding a punitive expedition against Korea. The Seikanron split the Meiji government and the restoration coalition that had been established against the bakufu,[5] but resulted in a decision not to send a military expedition to Korea.[6]
Inflamed by such incidents, and coming out in support of the Seikan Ron (advocacy of a punitive expedition to Korea) various cliques agitated immediate invasion of Korea.