Korean Liberation Army

Korean Liberation Army
한국 광복군
韓國 光復軍
FounderKim Ku
Dates of operation17 September 1940 – May 1946
CountryKorea
Allegiance Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea
HeadquartersChongqing, Republic of China (1940; 1942–1945)
Xi'an, Republic of China (1940–1942)
Size339 to 564
3,600 (1943)
Allies China
 United Kingdom
 Canada
 Australia
 New Zealand
 United States
Opponents Empire of Japan
Flag

The Korean Liberation Army (KLA; Korean한국 광복군; Hanja韓國 光復軍), also known as the Korean Restoration Army, was the armed forces of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. It was established on September 17, 1940, in Chongqing, Republic of China, with significant financial and personnel support from the Kuomintang. It participated in various battles and intelligence activities against the Japanese, including alongside the British Army in India and with the United States in the Eagle Project.

Its commandant was General Ji Cheong-cheon and chief of staff General Lee Beom-seok, the future first prime minister of South Korea. The group reached several hundred personnel at its peak. It experienced frequent funding issues, infighting, and difficulty achieving recognition from global powers.[1]