@article{ART003225963},
author={Byung Joon Jung},
title={Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers},
journal={The Review of Korean History},
issn={1225-133X},
year={2025},
number={158},
pages={179-224}
TY - JOUR
AU - Byung Joon Jung
TI - Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers
JO - The Review of Korean History
PY - 2025
VL - null
IS - 158
PB - The Historical Society Of Korea
SP - 179
EP - 224
SN - 1225-133X
AB - According to the Leonard M. Bertsch papers, the nature of Kim Kyusik’s political activities in 1946-1947 was as follows.
First, Kim Kyusik emerged as an important figure in South Korean politics in mid-1946. His right-wing background as a former vice-chairman of the Democratic Council and vice-chairman of the Chungking Provisional Government, as well as the political support of the US military government, played a role in his rise. The US military government judged that Kim Kyusik had a fundamentally anti-trusteeship, pro-American stance and was a suitable candidate for the vice president of the democratic Korean provisional government which was established by the US-Soviet Joint Committee.
Second, Kim Kyusik took an anti-trusteeship policy, but he also supported the unification of moderate forces through left-right wing coalition and the establishment of a provisional Korean government through the US-Soviet Joint Committee. Kim Kyusik knew that he was appointed as a Vice-President candidate by US military government and Lyu Woonhyung knew that he was appointed as a Premier candidate by Soviet military government. Also Rhee Syngman was aware that he was appointed as a President candidate by US military government. The political activities of Kim Kyusik, Lyun Woonhyung, and Rhee Syngman since mid-1946 need to be reinterpreted based on realistic judgments about their own value assessments and future prospects.
Third, US military government provided at least three million won in political funds to Kim Kyusik and the moderates, which reflected the political importance the US military government gave to Kim Kyusik.
Fourth, Kim Kyusik received support from the US military government during the Korea-US joint conference and the legislative elections in October-December 1946, and demonstrated maximum political ability. But the legislative elections resulted in a landslide victory for the right wing.
Fifth, the US military government did not protect politicians who were not evaluated as pro-American or anti-communist, and the police and terrorist groups blatantly continued political terrorism against Lyuh Woonhyung. As as result, Lyuh Woonhyung was assassinate in July 1947, and it symbolized the political future of the centrists in Korea.
KW - Kim Kyusik;Lyuh Woonhyung;Democratic Council;US-Soviet Joint Committee;Left-Right Wing Coalition Committee;Joint Korean-US Conference;Legislative Assembly
DO -
UR -
ER -
Byung Joon Jung. (2025). Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers. The Review of Korean History, 158, 179-224.
Byung Joon Jung. 2025, "Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers", The Review of Korean History, no.158, pp.179-224.
Byung Joon Jung "Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers" The Review of Korean History 158 pp.179-224 (2025) : 179.
Byung Joon Jung. Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers. 2025; 158 : 179-224.
Byung Joon Jung. "Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers" The Review of Korean History no.158(2025) : 179-224.
Byung Joon Jung. Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers. The Review of Korean History, 158, 179-224.
Byung Joon Jung. Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers. The Review of Korean History. 2025; 158 179-224.
Byung Joon Jung. Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers. 2025; 158 : 179-224.
Byung Joon Jung. "Kim Kyusik’s Political Activities in 1946-1947 based on the Leonard M. Bertsch papers" The Review of Korean History no.158(2025) : 179-224.
