History of Korea

Factionalism

The erstwhile condition of unity and ideological conformity of the nationalist movement began to crack, as socialist thought infiltrated Korea. The new nationalists, decidedly different and separate from its predecessor, were enchanted with socialists ideologies and felt to have found an answer to the conditions which plagued their situation. The Left was concerned about the increasing Japanese repression which began to target their activities of organizing laborers and tenant farmers. The Left was more radical than the moderates who still believed in gradualism and future participation of the masses. The Left wanted to channel the potential power of the masses into a struggle against the Japanese for a social revolutionary upheaval. Despite such opposing view and goals, the divided nationalist effort came together as the Sin'ganhoe a year after the June 10th Independence Demonstration.

Colonial Period