What is the relationship between an imperialist nation and its protectorate answer?

The relationship between an imperialist nation and its protectorate is typically unfair and exploitive in nature; this is primarily because the imperialist nation can exercise unrestricted authority over its protectorate. For example, when Korea was a protectorate of the Empire of Japan, Japan could unilaterally extract wealth from Korea with impunity. Summarily, the protectorate really doesn't have any sovereignty.