South Korea Colonial Records

Japanese Colonization (1910-1945)
Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910. Japan surrendered to Allied Forces on 15 August 1945. Korea was divided into two zones and the United States administered the southern half.

United States Colonization (1945-1948)
Korea was divided into two zones in 1945 and the United States administered the southern half. The Republic of Korea was formally established on 15 August 1948. The United States maintained forces in South Korea until after the Korean War in 1954.