The Soviet-Japanese War and North Korea

Abstract

This paper analyses the existing literature and inquires the way in which the Soviet-Japanese War contributed to the establishment of DPRK. The period after that war witnessed the following historical events in the Korean-Russian relations: the independence of Korean peninsula, military governments and the division of peninsula, the Moscow Conference and the division, democratic reforms including the land reform in the North, the foundation of the Labour Party of North Korea, enactment of constitution, and the creation of DPRK. With the independence, the North was under control of the Soviet, which stayed until the end of 1948. When and how was such a decision made? With the war in August 1945, the Soviet defeated the Japanese, which retreated below the 38th parallel line. Despite the declaration of the end of war, the Soviet did not withdraw for three years. The ‘sudden’ decision for the 25th Army to station in the North not to operate military campaigns was abruptly made around 25th August. Chistyokov opted out for Pyongyang instead of Hamheung, when he was instructed to select the post for his troops. Ibid. p. 44. In doing so, the city became the capital of North Korea. The command in the Littoral Province of Siberia, the 25th Army, as well as police and civic affairs offices at major cities addressed major tasks. The more important political issues were determined by the Central Committee of the Communist Party in Moscow and the Soviet government. During the first three years after the independence, which corresponds with the establishment of DPRK, the leadership in Moscow assumed the commanding position in the decision making process. Kremlin’s approval was required for key issues. Given the context that the fate of Korean peninsula was subject to the negotiation between the United States and the Soviet, the role of Soviet’s leadership was crucial. At the same time, however, it should be noted that it had close cooperation with the North Korean leadership and considered the political scene and public opinion.