HIST 2340W Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Syngman Rhee, Korean War, Korean Independence Movement
Document Summary
If you want to understand the korean war, you need to start by looking in korea between 1945-50, and during the 35 years prior to its liberation. Prior to the end of wwii, there was no korea. Efforts were made to eradicate korean culture. Some korean"s benefited from japanese imperialism, those who had served in the military, police force, or bureaucracy. Although there were groups that benefited, there were groups that had suffered from and resisted japanese colonialism. When korea is liberated, it is left a deeply divided society. Set up by yo un-hyong who had been appointed by the japanese before leaving korea. These committees start to govern and take control of local functions. The kpr wants to pursue a reformist agenda, seize land and divide it up among the peasants, wants an eight hour work day, the nationalization of certain industries. Looking to remove power from those who had collaborated with japanese colonialism.
