UN General Assembly
1948

The problem of Korean independence deserved the continued attention of the General Assembly. The Temporary Commission on Korea had performed an arduous task. That task had been made more difficult by non-co-operation of the USSR army of occupation in Northern Korea. Nevertheless, in spite of that lack of co-operation, the Commission had been able to contribute towards the success of free democratic elections in Southern Korea. The former Japanese colonial administration had done nothing to prepare Korea for independence and democracy. The general elections held last spring in Southern Korea had given the Korean people its first opportunity to express its wishes with regard to the country’s future. The Korean population had shown unmistakable eagerness for an independent government. More than 90 per cent of the registered electors had gone to the polls on 10 May 1948. In his report to the General Assembly, the Secretary-General had concluded the chapter dealing with Korea by the following paragraph: