The struggle started on February 7, 1948 after the “United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea” set foot on south Korea on January 8 that year.
That day the workers of different plants in south Korea, including those of the Kyongsong Textile Mill in Yongdungpho, went out on strike, insisting that it was time for them to rise up as the destiny of the country was at stake. The protest demonstration which began with the strike by the workers in Yongdungpho spread to Ryongsan, Seoul and Inchon. As of February 7 it swept across more than 40 cities including Seoul, Taejon, Mokpho, Pusan and Inchon.
It brought together more than 80 000 workers from hundreds of factories and enterprises. The protestors took to the streets and attacked the police stations under the active support of the citizens in Seoul and other cities.
Peasants joined the workers in the struggle. Notably, those in Hamchon, Wanju and Kimje counties attacked the local police stations and killed the notorious police officers. They dealt a telling blow to the enemies through various kinds of struggle.
Students, too, launched school strike and public demonstrations in support of the struggle.
On February 13 they took to the Tapttong Park, Jongno Street and Namdaemun Street in Seoul to stage demonstrations. They fought the puppet police setting up placards, reading “No to the Entry of the UN Temporary Commission on Korea” and shouting slogans.
On February 7 alone, the patriotic people raided and destroyed 26 local police stations. As of February 25 they killed 11 policemen, captured 26 guns and 481 bullets, destroyed 61 trains, 27 communications apparatuses and many bridges and roads, and cut off telegraphic and telephone wires in over 83 places.
The aggressive nature of the US imperialists and the true colours of the “UN Temporary Commission on Korea”, a tool for US aggression, were unveiled through the struggle. The struggle also gave an immense impact on foiling the ruinous May 10 separate election in south Korea.
