United States Army Military Government in Korea

United States Army Military Government in Korea
재조선 미국 육군사령부 군정청 (Korean)
1945–1948
Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
(de jure)
"Aegukga" (de facto)
Location of the United States Army Military Government in Korea in the Korean Peninsula
Location of the United States Army Military Government in Korea in the Korean Peninsula
StatusMilitary occupational transitional government
Capital
and largest city
Seoul
Official languagesKorean, English
US commander-in-chief 
• 1945–1948
John R. Hodge
US military governor 
• 1945
Archibald V. Arnold
• 1945–1947
Archer L. Lerch
• 1947–1948
William F. Dean
• 1948–1949
Charles G. Helmick
Chairman of assembly 
• 1946–1948
Kim Kyu-sik
• 1948
Syngman Rhee
Historical eraCold War
15 August 1945
• United States troops stationed
8 September 1945
1 October 1946
10 May 1948
17 July 1948
15 August 1948
CurrencyWon, "A yen" scrip, United States dollar
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Chōsen
People's Republic of Korea
Provisional Government of
the Republic of Korea
South Korea
Today part ofSouth Korea
North Korea
United States Army Military Government in Korea
Hangul
재조선미국육군사령부군정청
Hanja
在朝鮮美國陸軍司令部軍政廳
Revised RomanizationJaejoseon Miyuk-gun Saryeongbu Gunjeongcheong
McCune–ReischauerChaejosŏn Miyuk-gun Saryŏngbu Kunjŏngch'ŏng

The United States Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK) was the official ruling body of the southern half of the Korean Peninsula from 8 September 1945 to 15 August 1948.

The country during this period was plagued with political and economic chaos, which arose from a variety of causes.[1] 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.[2] Popular discontent stemmed from the United States' 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 (PRK); and finally by supporting United Nations elections that divided the country. The U.S. administration refused to recognize the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, despite the South Korean government considering it their predecessor since 1987.[3][4]

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.[5] Thus, many of their policies had unintended, destabilizing effects. Waves of refugees from North Korea (estimated at 400,000)[6] and returnees from abroad caused further turmoil.[7]

  1. ^ Chang, Kornel (2020). "Independence without Liberation: Democratization as Decolonization Management in U.S.-Occupied Korea, 1945–1948". Journal of American History. 107 (1): 77–106. doi:10.1093/jahist/jaaa009. ISSN 0021-8723.
  2. ^ Nahm (1996, p. 351); Lee (1984, p. 375) [title missing]
  3. ^ Hart-Landsberg, Martin (1998). Korea: Division, Reunification, & U.S. Foreign Policy. Monthly Review Press. pp. 63–67, 70–77.
  4. ^ Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Constitution of the Republic of Korea". Refworld. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  5. ^ Nahm (1996, p. 340) [title missing]
  6. ^ Allan R. Millet, The War for Korea: 1945–1950 (2005) P. 59
  7. ^ Lee (1984, p. 375) [title missing]