<P> In December 1945, Korea was administered by a U.S. - Soviet Union Joint Commission, as agreed at the Moscow Conference, with the aim of granting independence after a five - year trusteeship . The idea was not popular among Koreans and riots broke out . To contain them, the USAMGIK banned strikes on 8 December 1945 and outlawed the PRK Revolutionary Government and the PRK People's Committees on 12 December 1945 . Following further large - scale civilian unrest, the USAMGIK declared martial law . </P> <P> Citing the inability of the Joint Commission to make progress, the U.S. government decided to hold an election under United Nations auspices with the aim of creating an independent Korea . The Soviet authorities and the Korean Communists refused to co-operate on the grounds it would not be fair, and many South Korean politicians boycotted it . A general election was held in the South on 10 May 1948 . North Korea held parliamentary elections three months later on 25 August . </P> <P> The resultant South Korean government promulgated a national political constitution on 17 July 1948, and elected Syngman Rhee as president on 20 July 1948 . The Republic of Korea (South Korea) was established on 15 August 1948 . In the Soviet Korean Zone of Occupation, the Soviet Union established a communist government led by Kim Il - sung . </P> <P> The Soviet Union withdrew as agreed from Korea in 1948, and U.S. troops withdrew in 1949 . </P>

What type of government did north korea have during the korean war