The reformist groups, such as Shinpo-kai (pro-Japanese political organization in Korea) (later called, Isshin-kai) were oppressed (the Japanese government was sometimes even asked to oppress the reformists), and modernization did not progress.
進歩会（のちの一進会）などの改革派は弾圧され（改革派への弾圧を日本政府に依頼することすらあった）、開化は進まなかった。