workingclasshistory:

On this day, 6 September 1945, following the defeat of the Japanese colonial authorities, the People’s Republic of Korea was declared (not to be confused with the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”, aka: North Korea). It had a 27 point program including land redistribution, rent controls, nationalisation of major industries, guaranteed human rights, universal suffrage, equality for women, a ban on child labour, workers’ rights and an 8-hour maximum working day.
US forces arrived in Korea on September 8 and occupied the southern portion of the country. While they were supposedly committed to “national self-determination”, they decided to abolish the Republic. Instead they helped establish an authoritarian government led by Syngman Rhee, who soon assumed dictatorial powers.
Thousands of those who opposed the regime were massacred, including roughly 10% of the population on the island of Jeju.
Learn more about recent South Korean history in our podcast episodes 51, and 53-56: https://workingclasshistory.com/tag/south-korea/
Pic: Refugee and orphaned children from the Jeju massacre https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.1819457841572691/2075608375957635/?type=3