korean conflict background info
TRANSCRIPT
Korean Conflict1950-1953Background Information
(Burma)
1. What does the title of the article infer? Why might the wording sound familiar to you?
2. As you read the article, complete parts of the chart of info about the Korean Peninsula.
3. Compare and contrast the preparedness of the North and South Korean armies.
4. Why couldn’t the South Koreans detect North Korean movement?
5. On which country did the South Koreans place blame for the attack?
6. What is the Security Council issue described?
Newsweek Article 7/3/50 Newsweek Article 7/3/50
South Korean Flag
North Korean Flag
Japanese in S > US1949: US withdrewLeft 500 military advisors
Japanese in N > SU1948: SU withdrew
Armed North heavily
A. End of WWII
The SouthThe South The NorthThe NorthFormalFormal
NameName
PolitiPoliticalcal
LeaderLeader
Syngman Rhee
Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea
Kim Il Sung
The SouthThe South The The NorthNorth
CapitalCapital
EconomyEconomy
ClimateClimate//
LandscaLandscapepe
PopulatiPopulationon
Seoul
agricultureWarm,
Typhoons –
plainsTwo-
thirds20
million
Pyongyangindust
ryColder, less rain –mountain
sOne-third10
million
B. Dean Acheson’s Statement U.S. Secretary of StateUS would help if attack made to EAST of specified DEFENSE LINE
Alaska
Japan
Philippines
C. Reasons for Soviet InvolvementUS believed SU pressured NK to invade
BUT SU hesitant b/c we had A-bomb
Kim convinced
Stalin – low risk
operation AFTER he
invaded SK
WHY LOW RISK?
SU sent 26,000
troops & weapons
D. U.S.’s (non) interest in KoreaCivilian vs. Military vs. Truman viewsTruman ordered air/naval support to SK
Executive Privilege:
“President does not have to disclose information to congress or the Supreme Court…
Usually invoked to protect confidential military, diplomatic operations or private discussions/debates of president w/ close aides”
Truman commits 1.5 million US troops
Under auspices of UN
E. The S.U. Boycotts the U.N.•Anger over China reps; UN as tool of US
SU not there to VOTE NO to UN > Korea
United NationsUnited Nations
General AssemblySecurity Council- Talk about issues- Each country has a representative
- in charge of military- 5 permanent members
SU, Br, Fr, Ch, US- 10 rotating members