Within thirty years , the country 's military forces had fought .
Within thirty years , the country 's military forces defeated imperial China in the First Sino - Japanese War ( 1894 -- 95 ) , winning possession of Taiwan and China 's recognition of Korea 's independence .
Within thirty years , the country 's military forces had fought and defeated imperial China in the First Sino - Japanese War ( 1894 -- 95 ) , winning possession of Taiwan and China 's recognition of Korea 's independence .