The Influence of Jeju 4·3 and Yeosu/Suncheon 10·19 on the Military Fortification of Okinawa

This study provides an overview of the incidents of April 3 and October 19 and their impact on the U.S. fortification of Okinawa. During World War II, the Japanese militarized Okinawa and Jeju, while U.S. forces invaded Okinawa. Although they didn’t invade Jeju, the presence of Japanese troops and the geographical location delayed the arrival of U.S. troops, while the People's Committee gained great power. Even in the left-leaning Suncheon area, residents became increasingly dissatisfied with the US occupation, which inherited the police system of the Japanese occupation and favored the pro-Japanese right. Meanwhile, the United States initially considered a long-term presence of U.S. troops with the primary goal of preventing Soviet domination of South Korea. However, some military personnel in the US government considered the occupation as a burden and raised the idea of troop withdrawal. In November 1947, the United Nations General Assembly resolved the withdrawal of occupation forces after general elections and establishment of new government. Under these circumstances, the April 3 Incident occurred against the backlash against the US occupation, and the October 19 Incident, which occurred to reject the suppression of Jeju, considered as “communist riots” and were subject to suppression. While these events delayed the withdrawal of US troops, the United States, which wanted to balance power in East Asia, decided to militarize Okinawa and hold it for a long time. With the end of the US occupation in Korea, military personnel with experience in Korea became involved in the military government of Okinawa.