1945

The Soviet army enters Korea.

The Japanese surrender to the Allies. Korea is liberated.

The US Army’s General Order No. 1 declares that the Japanese occupying forces will surrender the southern half of the Korean peninsula to the Americans south of the 38th parallel and the northern half to the Soviets.

The Korean Independence Preparation Committee is organized by Lyuh Woon-hyung (여운형, also known as Yo Un-hyong).

From August 17-18, 1945, communists headed by Yi Yong and Chong Paek held a meeting to reestablish the Communist Party. They meet at Chang-an building and are often referred to as the Chang-an faction. The Korean Communist Youth Association is also established.

Pak Hon-yong revives his Com. Group and organizes the Korean Communist Party Reestablishment Committee in Seoul.

The Soviet occupation forces arrive at Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea

The Soviet forces occupy the city of Kaesong, south of the 38th parallel, but immediately withdraw from the city.

World War II ends.

The Korean People’s Republic (조선인민공화국, also known as the People’s Republic of Korea, PRK) is established by the Korean Independence Preparation Committee (headed by Lyuh Woon-hyung, 여운형) in Seoul. It is a provisional government meant for the entire (united) Korean peninsula.

The US Army lands in the southern half of the peninsula. General Douglas MacArthur’s HQ in Tokyo issues the “Proclamation to the People of Korea”, which dealt with South Korea as a territory that the US military forces would occupy.

The Korean Communist Party Reestablishment Committee is formally organized under Pak Hon-yong at the home of Hong Chung-sik in Seoul, and begins to consolidate the communists.

The Korean Communist Party is formally established by a coalition of the Seoul Communist Group and the Chang-an group, with Pak Hon-yong elected as its first chairman.

Kim Il-sung makes his first public appearance in Korea and delivers a speech at a mass meeting in Haeju.

General Arnold of the American occupation forces deny the legitimacy of the Korean People’s Republic (PRK)

The Soviet authorities in the North hold a mass meeting to welcome Kim Il-sung.

Lyuh Woon-hyung dissolves the Korean Independence Preparation Committee and the Korean People’s Republic and organizes the Inmin-tang.

The North Korean Branch bureau of the Korean Communist Party begins publication of its party organ, Chongro

The US Army Military Government in Korea outlaws the Korean People’s Republic (PRK) in the South.

Kim Il-sung takes over the North Korean Branch Bureau of the Korean Communist Party.

The Moscow Conference announces the trusteeship plan for Korea.