Participating in Nation-Building: The Role of the âMilitary Government Policeâ in South Korean Politics, 1946-1948
In: Journal of American-East Asian RelationsSearch for other papers by Jinwung Kim in
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Abstract
This study analyzes the role of the âmilitary government policeâ in South Korean politics during American military occupation, 1946-48. It stresses that the Korean National Police (KNP), many of whose members had served in the police under the Japanese, was not a mere instrument of the United States Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK) but functioned as an active participant in the creation of a rightist regime in southern Korea. More specifically, the police were the undisputed âvanguardâ of the rightist Syngman Rhee-Korean Democratic Party (KDP) coalition. The police force also functioned as the âbig brotherâ of the rightist youth organizations which shared values and ideology with them. Finally, the police served as the âmidwifeâ in the creation of the Rhee regime in the Republic of Korea. In sum, the KNP was an important political player actively taking part in the political process during U.S. military occupation.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 766 | 118 | 7 |
| Full Text Views | 109 | 2 | 2 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 145 | 6 | 3 |
Participating in Nation-Building: The Role of the âMilitary Government Policeâ in South Korean Politics, 1946-1948
In: Journal of American-East Asian RelationsSearch for other papers by Jinwung Kim in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
This study analyzes the role of the âmilitary government policeâ in South Korean politics during American military occupation, 1946-48. It stresses that the Korean National Police (KNP), many of whose members had served in the police under the Japanese, was not a mere instrument of the United States Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK) but functioned as an active participant in the creation of a rightist regime in southern Korea. More specifically, the police were the undisputed âvanguardâ of the rightist Syngman Rhee-Korean Democratic Party (KDP) coalition. The police force also functioned as the âbig brotherâ of the rightist youth organizations which shared values and ideology with them. Finally, the police served as the âmidwifeâ in the creation of the Rhee regime in the Republic of Korea. In sum, the KNP was an important political player actively taking part in the political process during U.S. military occupation.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 766 | 118 | 7 |
| Full Text Views | 109 | 2 | 2 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 145 | 6 | 3 |
