How did the Korean Provisional Government form in Shanghai in 1919?

The Korean Provisional Government was established in Shanghai in April 1919 as a direct response to the brutal Japanese suppression of the March First Movement.21

The March First Movement began on March 1, 1919, when 33 prominent Korean leaders issued a proclamation of independence in Seoul, sparking massive, nationwide demonstrations against Japanese colonial rule. The subsequent violent crackdown by Japanese authorities—which resulted in thousands of deaths, injuries, and arrests—galvanized Korean patriots to organize a formal government-in-exile to coordinate the independence struggle.21

Led by figures such as Syngman Rhee, An Ch’ang-ho, and Kim Ku, the provisional government sought to unify resistance groups, solicit international support, and enhance political consciousness among the Korean people. This formation marked a pivotal shift toward more concerted, organized efforts to achieve sovereignty from Japan.2