History of Korea

Pak Hon Yong was the de-facto leader of Korean communism before the entrance of Kim Il Sung into center stage. Pak had been a communist as early as 1919, one year after the "October Revolution" in Russia. In 1925, Pak headed the Korean Communist Party's Youth League. After being sent to prison on two separate occasions, Pak tried to coordinate all the various communist parties into one umbrella organization called the "Communist Group" in 1939. His successes were limited in this regard. In 1941, Pak made the decision to go "underground" and wait for the opportune time to come out in the open. During this time, Pak emerged as the unquestioned leader of the communists in Korea. Until the day of liberation on Aug. 15 1945, Pak worked as a bricklayer at a brick factory in South Cholla Province. On Liberation Day, Pak is reported to have said, "I go to begin my future".

Pak left for Seoul to lead his nation towards independence and communism. While in Seoul, Pak "re-hatched" the Korean Communist Party immediately prior to the arrival of American military forces in Korea. In the fragmented and confused political atmosphere in the years after liberation, Pak tried to cement all the various communist factions and leftist organizations into a united front.

In 1946, the United States Military Government in Korea (USMGIK) issued a warrant for Pak's arrest for organizing disruptive activities against the USMGIK. Consequently, Park fled to the North to escape capture. In the North, Pak assumed the role of a "dim star" next to the "bright constellation" of Kim Il Sung, the new leader of the communists in the North.

In 1953, in the aftermath of the Korean War, Pak fell victim to Kim Il Sung's campaign to consolidate power. Pak and his followers were arrested and charged with "anti-state espionage" activities. Shortly thereafter, Pak was found guilty in a "kangaroo court" and executed.

Seen here above on the right is Pak Hon Yong with Kim Il Sung standing beside him at a Korean Workers' Party meeting. Pak would later be a victim in Kim Il Sung's bid for consolidation.

Liberation and the Korean War