1948년 유엔한국임시위원단의 활동과 5·10총선에 대한 미국정부와 한국인들의 인식

Abstract

While the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea (UNTCOK) was formed in 1947, member state Canada withdrew from the commission, questioning the United Nations' authority and the US-centered decision-making process. Canada eventually returned by consistent persuasion and pressure from the U.S. Government. Nonetheless, the tension within the UN Temporary Commission was manifest. When the UN Temporary Commission on Korea requested to enter north of the 38th parallel to negotiate, the Soviet Union refused the commission entrance. Many Koreans strongly argued the necessity of a separate general election in the south. On February 7th, 1948, leftist parties began a series of full-scale strikes and terrorist attacks against the establishment of a separate government. The U.S. Military Government in Korea identified the strikes to be planned as a part of the North’s many efforts, including its draft constitution and military parade, to justify the legitimacy of its government. The consensus of the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea was polarized into two groups—one group composed of China, France, the Philippines and El Salvador; the other comprised of Australia, Canada, India, and Syria. Furthermore, the U.S. Military Government considered Australia and Canada’s support for North-South negotiation to be leftist and even communist. Eventually, the UN interim committee decided to hold a general election in the south and as such, on May 10th, 1948, the election was held in an “free atmosphere.” Yet debate ensued on how to interpret the ‘national’ jurisdiction of the election results as Australia and Canada opposed the expressions ‘national’ and ‘representative.’ However, the U.S. military government maintained that the newly established government should be recognized as a ‘national’ government based on the UN General Assembly’s resolution on November 14, 1947, as well as the conclusion of two-thirds of Korea’s population. The U.S. perception of the newly formed government as a central government was similar to that of Kim Koo and Kim Kyu-sik in December 1947.