August 1945, after defeat in World war II by American and Soviet forces, Imperial Japan give up control of Korea, which it had annexed in 1910. Following the liberation from Japan, the country was divided along the 38th parallel into zones of occupation by the victorious Americans and Soviets. As a result, the Korean peninsula was divided into two countries.

A communist Soviet military regime was set up in the northern part of Korea.  A new Supreme People’s Assembly was elected in August 1948, and on September 3rd 1948, a new constitution was promulgated. 

On September 9th 1948, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was proclaimed, with Kim Il-sung as Premier.