Establishment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

North of the 38th parallel, the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established with Kim Il-sung as premier.

The Soviet forces that entered the north after liberation ruled indirectly through local people’s committees. In February 1946 the North Korean Provisional People’s Committee was set up under Kim Il-sung and acted as a de facto government, pushing through land reform by confiscation and free distribution, the nationalization of major industries and a law on equality of the sexes. In February 1947 it became the North Korean People’s Committee.

The UN Temporary Commission was refused entry to the north, so the 10 May election was held only in the south and the Republic of Korea was founded. North Korea then held elections for the Supreme People’s Assembly on 25 August 1948, adopted a constitution on 8 September and proclaimed its government on 9 September.

With two governments on the peninsula, the division hardened. Soviet troops withdrew from the north that December.