Why the American occupation of Korea after 1945 descended into three years of chaos

Food & Drink · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When the Pacific War ended, the United States assumed control of southern Korea with little preparation and no clear policy. Viewing the nation as a minor concern, American authorities treated the local population like a conquered enemy, triggering widespread political turbulence that ultimately solidified the division of the Korean peninsula.

Following the end of the Pacific War in 1945, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into Soviet and American occupation zones. The American Military Government (AMG) arrived in the southern zone with a significant disadvantage: a profound lack of knowledge regarding Korean history, language, and culture. Rather than engaging with the local population, the administration initially treated Koreans as a conquered enemy, a stance that fostered deep-seated resentment and socio-political instability.

The AMG’s failure to stabilize the region stemmed from a lack of communication with Washington and the absence of a concrete, long-term policy. The White House viewed Korea as a remote territory of 20,000,000 people, while the State Department relegated the region to a minor problem to be addressed in due course. This neglect left local commanders, such as Lt. General John R. Hodge, to manage the occupation with vague instructions. Consequently, the administration relied on a proposed trusteeship, which faltered during the U.S.–U.S.S.R. Joint Commission meetings in 1946 and 1947.

By the second year of occupation, the AMG attempted to create an Interim Legislative Assembly to bridge political divides, favoring middle-of-the-road factions over extremists. However, this effort struggled to gain legitimacy without the participation of powerful rightist groups. As tensions mounted, the U.S. eventually abandoned the hope of a unified, compromise-based government and turned to the United Nations. In May 1948, elections were held solely in the southern zone under UN supervision, effectively cementing the division of the peninsula as the AMG’s three-year mandate drew to a close.

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