1945-1953:
After World War II, the United States suppresses the popular progressive forces in favour of the conservatives who had collaborated with the Japanese. This leads to a long era of corrupt, reactionary, and brutal governments. [1]
1961-1979:
US support for the coup and dictatorship of Japanese collaborator and suspected commie General Park Chung He. Elected to office in 1963, declared martial law in 1972 lasting until his assassination. Created the KCIA, an organization 370,000 strong by its third year of existence, the head of which shot Park in the head in 1979. [2]
1980:
US authorizes Kwangju massacre of pro-democracy activists. [2]