page_title: United States Army Military Government in Korea
section_title: Background
hierarchical_section_title: United States Army Military Government in Korea / Background
caption_attribution_description: English: Surrender of Japanese Forces in southern Korea, September 1945. Lowering the Japanese flag, during surrender ceremonies at Japanese General Government Building, Keijo (now Seoul), Chosen (now Korea), 9 September 1945. Deutsch: Mit dem Einholen der Japanischen Flagge am 9. September 1945 vor dem Sitz des Generalgouverneurs in Keijō wird die offizielle Verwaltungsübergabe des südlichen Teiles der Provinz Chōsen an die Amerikaner vollzogen.
context_page_description: The United States Army Military Government in Korea was the official ruling body of the southern half of the Korean Peninsula from September 8, 1945 to August 15, 1948.
  The country during this period was plagued with political and economic chaos, which arose from a variety of causes. The after-effects of the Japanese occupation were still being felt in the occupation zone, as well as in the Soviet zone in the North. Popular discontent stemmed from the U.S. Military Government's support of the Japanese colonial government; then once removed, keeping the former Japanese governors on as advisors; by ignoring, censoring and forcibly disbanding the functional and popular People's Republic of Korea; and finally by supporting United Nations elections that divided the country.
  In addition, the U.S. military was largely unprepared for the challenge of administering the country, arriving with no knowledge of the language or political situation. Thus, many of their policies had unintended destabilizing effects. Waves of refugees from North Korea and returnees from abroad also helped to keep the country in turmoil.
context_section_description: The short-lived People's Republic of Korea had been established in August, in consultation with Japanese authorities, and quickly spread throughout the country. The U.S. Military Government outlawed it in the South shortly after their arrival. The leader of the People's Republic, Yeo Un-hyeong, stepped down and formed the Working People's Party. The U.S. administration also refused to recognize the members of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, led by Kim Ku, who were obliged to enter the country as private citizens.
caption: Japanese forces surrender to the U.S. Army at Seoul, Korea, on 9 September 1945
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