United States Army Military Government in Korea

United States Army Military Government in Korea 재조선 미국 육군사령부 군정청 (Korean)
1945–1948
Top: Flag of the United States Bottom: Flag of South Korea Emblem
Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner" (de jure) "Aegukga" (de facto)
Location of the United States Army Military Government in Korea in the Korean Peninsula
Status	Military occupational transitional government
Capital and largest city	Seoul
Official languages	Korean, 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 era	Cold War
• Surrender of Japan	15 August 1945
• United States troops stationed	8 September 1945
• Autumn Uprising	1 October 1946
• General election	10 May 1948
• Constitution	17 July 1948
• Republic established	15 August 1948
Currency	Won, "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 of	South Korea North Korea

Part of a series on the
History of South Korea
Preludes to Division 1910–48 Japanese rule 1910–45 Korean Provisional Government 1919–48 People's Republic of Korea 1945–46 USAMGIK 1945–48
First Republic 1948–60 Korean War 1950–53 Syngman Rhee government 1948–60 April Revolution 1960
Second Republic 1960–63 Yun Posun government 1960 Chang Myon cabinet 1960–61 May 16 coup 1961 Supreme Council for National Reconstruction 1961–63
Third Republic 1963–72 Park Chung-hee government 1963–79 Yushin Constitution 1972
Fourth Republic 1972–81 Assassination of Park Chung-hee 1979 December 12 coup 1979 May 17 coup 1980 Gwangju Uprising 1980
Fifth Republic 1981–88 Chun Doo-hwan government 1981–87 June Democracy Movement 1987
Sixth Republic 1988–present Roh Tae-woo government 1988–93 Kim Young-sam government 1993–98 1997 Asian financial crisis 1997–2001 Kim Dae-jung government 1998–2003 Roh Moo-hyun government 2003–08 Lee Myung-bak government 2008–13 Park Geun-hye government 2013–17 Moon Jae-in government 2017–22 Yoon Seok-yeol government 2022–present
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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]