People's Republic of Korea

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People's Republic of Korea
Hangul:	조선인민공화국
Hanja:	朝鮮人民共和國
Revised Romanization:	Joseon Inmin Gonghwaguk
McCune-Reischauer:	Chosŏn Inmin Konghwaguk

The People's Republic of Korea (PRK) was a short-lived provisional government organized to take over control of the country after the Japanese surrender at the end of the Pacific War. It existed in August and September 1945.

Establishment

The Japanese occupation authorities requested that a government be established to ensure the safety of their persons and property after the occupation ended. Under the leadership of Yeo Un-hyeon, the newly-formed PRK set up people's committees throughout the country to coordinate the transition to independence.

Development in the North

North of the 38th parallel north, the PRK's local structure was maintained under Soviet occupation to become the basis of the modern North Korean party structure (see Workers' Party of Korea#Origins).

Development in the South

Shortly after the American landing in September 1945, the new United States Army Military Government in Korea, which controlled the peninsula south of the 38th parallel, abolished the PRK government by military decree, primarily because of suspicions that it was Communistic. Some local units of the People's Republic remained active in the Jeolla region and especially on Jeju Island, where their presence, together with marauding anti-communist youth gangs[1], contributed to tensions that discharged in the events known as Jeju massacre.