The Provisional Government of Korea
At the height of the independence movement, a provisional
government of Korea was established in Vladivostok on March 21, in Shanghai on
April 11, and in Seoul on April 21. The reason for such action in three
different places almost simultaneously can be explained by the fact that the
need for leadership was felt to be most urgent in the independence struggle.
The provisional government in Seoul, with all 13 provinces
represented, proclaimed Korean independence, asking Japan to repeal its colonial
system and withdraw its occupation forces from Korea. It called upon the Korean
people to refuse payment of taxes to the Japanese government, not to accept
trials by Japanese courts, and to avoid employment at colonial offices. A direct
challenge was posed by the Seoul government against the entire Japanese colonial
system.
The National Council of Korea in
Vladivostok, when notified of
the establishment of a provisional government in Shanghai, made efforts to
integrate its activities with those of the Shanghai group. The latter passed a
resolution calling for integration with the Seoul government. The first cabinet
meeting was convened on November 4, marking the start of the functioning of the
Provisional Government.
As a representative of the Korean people, and as their only
independence organization abroad, the Provisional Government, despite financial
difficulties and attempts at infiltration and suppression, did its best to
fulfill the international obligations of the Korean government. It declared war
on totalitarian Japan and provided close cooperation with the Allied Powers
during World War II. For 27 years, until its return home on November 23, 1945,
after the Japanese surrender, the Provisional Government strove to represent the
Korean people.
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Information
provided by the Korean Embassy
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