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Anniversary of Korea liberation by Soviet Army
August 15, 1945 is the day of Korea liberation by the troops of the Soviet Army in collaboration with the armed forces of Korean population from the occupation troops of Japan Army.
From 1910 Korea had been a Japanese colony. The country was directed by governor general; the high officials were elected among the Japanese, the Koreans were given just minor official posts. Japanese colonial governing was of a repressive character, people were arrested or punished even harder for any resistance to authority.
During the World War II at Cairo conference which took place in November of 1943 the issue of the destiny of Japanese colonies was discussed. USA, Great Britain and China agreed that Japan was to be deprived of all its territories (including Korea) that it occupied by military intervention. Soon the Soviet Union also joined the Cairo declaration. The governments of USA and USSR came to understanding that Korea was to be divided into the North and South zones along the 38th parallel in order to organize the capitulation of the Japanese army more effectively.
On August 8, 1945 the USSR declared war to Japan and started military operations against Kwantung Army in Manchuria and Korea. The operations were carried out by the troops of Transbaikalia front, the 1st and 2nd Far East fronts in collaboration with the Pacific Ocean Navy and the Red Banner Amur Flotilla.
On August 14 Japanese Emperor declared capitulation, on August 15 this news reached Korea.
The Soviet Army in Korea contributed to consolidation of democratic forces so that the people of Korea could struggle for their national freedom. Soon after the liberation the Communist Party of Korea was formed. Under its guidance were created various democratic organizations. Their policy requirements included creation of democratic republic and confiscation of all lands that belonged to the Japanese state. In August – September 1945 in North Korea the bodies of public authority – public political committees for the state power organization were created.
On August 15 the Day of Independence of Korea is celebrated annually. The inhabitants of the Korean semi-island call it also the holiday of the “Fatherland renaissance”.
Lit.: Советско-японская война 1945 // Большая российская энциклопедия [Электронный ресурс]. URL: https://bigenc.ru/c/sovetsko-iaponskaia-voina-1945-2d5065/?v=9246670; Боевое содружество СССР, Великобритании и США: сборник материалов и документов. Вологда, 1942; Ванин Ю. К 60-летию освобождения Кореи // Сеульский вестник. 2005. № 97; Василевский А. М. На Дальнем Востоке // Дело всей жизни. М., 1978; Василевский А. М. Дело всей жизни. М., 1990; Великая Отечественная война 1941–1945 годов. В 12 т. Т. 5. Победный финал. Завершающие операции Великой Отечественной войны в Европе. Война с Японией. М., 2013 [Электронный ресурс]. URL: https://encyclopedia.mil.ru/files/VOV/tom5/VOV_Vol5_495-602_Chap7.pdf; Великая победа советских войск на Дальнем Востоке: (сборник статей) / Главное политическое управление Красной Армии. Хабаровск, 1945; Внотченко Л. Н. Победа на Дальнем Востоке: военно-исторический очерк о боевых действиях советских войск в августе – сентябре 1945 г. М., 1966; Ланьков А. Н. Северная Корея 1945–1948 гг.: рождение государства // Северная Корея: вчера и сегодня. М., 1995; Освобождение Кореи. М., 1976; Шабшина Ф. И. Очерки новейшей истории Кореи (1918–1945). М., 1959.
Based on the Presidential Library’s materials:
СССР вступил в войну с Японией // День в истории. 9 августа 1945;
Soviet-Japanese War of 1945: [digital collection];
1945: From the War to the Post-War World: [digital collection].