The Arrival of U.S. Forces in South Korea
On September 8, 1945, U.S. troops landed in southern Korea, commencing their occupation of the region. This move came almost exactly one month after Soviet troops had entered northern Korea, marking the beginning of what would become a permanent division of the country.
Historical Context: From Japanese Rule to Divided Occupations
Korea had been under Japanese control since the early 20th century. During World War II, allies like the United States, Soviet Union, China, and Great Britain had vaguely agreed that Korea should become an independent country post-war.
The Yalta and Potsdam Conferences
At the Yalta Conference in February 1945, Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader, agreed that the Soviet Union would declare war on Japan three months after Nazi Germany was defeated. Later, at the Potsdam Conference in July and August 1945, it was settled that Soviet forces would occupy the north of Korea and U.S. forces the south, temporarily, to free it from Japanese control.
Timelines: Soviet and U.S. Entry
As per their commitment, Soviet forces declared war on Japan on August 8, 1945, and invaded northern Korea on August 9. Japan surrendered a few days later, paving the way for U.S. forces to occupy southern Korea, which they did on September 8, 1945.
Deteriorating Conditions and Growing Division
The initial intention was that the occupation by both the U.S. and Soviet Union would be temporary. However, the situation began to worsen rapidly. A civil war between communist and nationalist factions in southern Korea led to significant casualties. The Soviet Union opposed any plans for the reunification of Korea, setting the stage for long-term division.
The Establishment of Separate Governments
The United States established a government in South Korea under Syngman Rhee, while the Soviet Union installed a communist regime in North Korea under Kim Il-Sung. The United States proposed national elections in 1948, which the Soviet Union refused. Elections were held in South Korea, granting Rhee's government a popular mandate, but the Soviets did not recognize this outcome.
The Korean War and Beyond
In 1950, North Korea, aiming to reunify the country by force, launched a military assault on South Korea. The United States intervened, resulting in the three-year Korean War. Today, Korea remains a divided nation, with North Korea being one of the few remaining communist governments in the world.
A Division that Persists
What started as a temporary partition has endured for more than seven decades, shaping the destinies of North and South Korea in profoundly different ways. The roots of this ongoing division can be traced back to the pivotal events around September 8, 1945, a day that forever altered the Korean peninsula.