"해방 선언" refers to the declaration of liberation in Korea, which marked the end of Japanese colonial rule. This significant event occurred on August 15, 1945, when Japan surrendered at the end of World War II. The announcement was celebrated by many Koreans, who had long sought independence from foreign domination. The declaration led to the establishment of a divided Korea, with the northern part influenced by the Soviet Union and the southern part by the United States. This division eventually resulted in the creation of two separate states, 대한민국 (South Korea) and 조선민주주의인민공화국 (North Korea), in 1948.