- May 1948 → 80% of eligible population → took part in national election → in area south of 38th Parallel
- US backed Syngman Rhee for position of president
- as Rhee had campaigned for Korean independance → during Japanese occupation.
- However he had not lived in Korea for some time.
- US favoured Rhee → primarily because he was deeply anti communist, fluent English speaker, and graduate from prestigious universities in US
After gaining Majority of votes in election → Rhee became president of newly founded Republic of Korea (or South Korea) → Aug 1948. Furthermore → US forces → were to withdraw from South Korea by June 1949.
Over years → Rhee → grew increasingly authoritarian → arresting + even killing opponents → including suspected communists.
- despite disagreements with Rhee’s policies ⇒ US continued to support Rhee and his govt → due to their anti communist stance → so as to prevent spread of communist influence from North.
→ similar to Kim → Rhee also believed that Korea should be unified.