8.15 해방당시 조선총독부가 여운형을 선택한 배경과 담판 내용

Abstract

This study is focused on the reason and background of Chosun government-general of Japan choosing Yeo, Oon-Hyung. As the termination of war was impending, Chosun government-general made it the most important the way to protect life and safety of Japanese residents in Korea and the military who had been living in Korean Peninsula. From June, when the end of war was foreseen, the chief of public security, Chief of Police Nishihiro became afraid of the possible surge of popularity of the leaders of independence movement and Communists, who used to be oppressed before but would be worshiped as fighters for independence or revolution after homecoming or release. He was also intimidated by the predictable violence and pillage against his compatriots for vengeance by the "worshipers". Because of this, the managers of the government-general, Chief of Police Nishihiro included, were presenting two ways to prevent those violence and plunder by Koreans burning with revengeful thoughts. First was using the prestigious leaders' leadership and persuasion to prevent Koreans' madness. Second was to make the issue of American soldiers' landing true and keep the government-general ruling the south of Korea under the command of the one with the prerogative of supreme command of U.S. administration. When the news that Japan's emperor would surrender to the Allies was released via shortwave broadcasting, it was Song, Jin- Woo who they firstly approached, and who they had been contacting since June, to lead furious Koreans to be moderate with the premise of the landing of American military. Some strongly refuse this Song, Jin-Woo-approach view, it appears to be true, as formerly indicated, considering from many aspects of the situation. It was only that Geoung-gi State Governer Iccuda, Geoung-gi State Police Director Occa, and the Assistant of Administrative Official Harada were in the line of contact. But the government-general misinterpreted the two facts that the emperor's letter of surrender would be on air tomorrow (8. 15), the next day that it was written (8. 14), and the Allies who would advance and stay in Seoul is not U.S. military but the Soviet Union military. The govermental-general proposed the necessity of Yeo, Oon-Hyung, the left wing Socialist, instead of Song Jin Woo, the right wing Nationalist, and immediately had the Government Provisioner Entto negotiate with Yeo Oon Hyoung without previous tapping. However, the government-general changed suddenly their stand the next day of the termination of war, upon the late receipt of information that U.S. base would be in Seoul, not the Soviet Union. They deeply felt the necessity of Yeo, Oon-Hyung. They thus hurried the return of the public security authority claiming that he was preparing the establishment of a nation and doing politic activities and not remaining in maintenance of public order level as promised, along with the complaints of military department. Simultaneously, they schemed Kim, Keou-Jo affair after conspired to maintain the government-general system and directly contacted with the U.S. military. This is also presented later when the Commander Haji once remarked the maintenance of the government-general system; they approached another line after the failure of Kim Keou Jo affair. The fact that Chosun government-general selected Yeo, Oon-Hyung for a cooperator of the maintenance of public order is analyzed because of the confidence, popularity, and respect he was receiving from Koreans since he did not convert to the pro-Japanese group, his affluent knowledge and international sense, fluent foreign language skills and superior oratory, and the fact that he was left-of-center-socialist. If the government -general grasped that the U.S.troop would make an entry and stay as initially predicted, it is evident that the left wing Socialist Yeo, Oon-Hyung would have excluded and other figure from the right wing would have been the target of connection.