Korean War & Korea Today

Korea’s History

Korea has a long history of being dominated or influenced by other countries.

During the middle ages China had a lot of control over Korea.

Korea had a period of freedom, independence, and peace from 1600s – 1850s.

Russo – Japanese War

Russia was trying to expand their empire and gain power over Korea.

Newly industrialized Japan wanted to become an imperial power in the Pacific, and control Korea.

This led to a fight between Russia and Japan over control of Korea.

World Through Korea’s Eyes

What does this image show about how Korea views themselves and the outside world?

How does this make Korea look to other countries?

Japanese Occupation

By 1910 Japan brutally occupied Korea.

They forced Koreans to attend Japanese schools, and learn Japanese history and traditions.

The Korean people and government had little or no power.

Korea & World War II

During WWII the Japanese continued their occupation of Korea.

At the end of WWII Soviets invaded the northern part of Korea to and America invaded the southern part to push the Japanese out.

Soviet/Chinese Influence

The Soviets occupation in the northern part of Korea greatly influenced the people and government.

China becoming communist in 1949 led to it becoming free of foreign influence.

The idea of communism and freedom of foreign occupation greatly appealed to the people in the north.

North Invades the South

In 1950 with financial support from the Soviet Union, North Korea crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea.

South Korea asked the US & UN for help.

General Douglas MacArthur led the joint US/UN troops in South Korea.

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South Fights Back

The US/UN army pushed the North Koreans back across the 38th parallel and almost to the Chinese border with Korea.

China was feeling threatened by the close US presence.

In October 1950 they sent 300,000 troops and aid to the North Korea.

MacArthur vs. Truman

General MacArthur thought we had to be tough on communism and wanted to use nuclear weapons on China.

Truman wanted to be tough on communism, but he didn’t feel nuclear weapons were necessary, and that they’d lead to another world war.

Their disagreement led to MacArthur being fired.

War Ends – NOT

The war continued for several years back and forth across in the 38th parallel.

In July 1953 UN forces and North Korea agreed to a cease fire.

The border/demilitarization zone (DMZ) was set up at the 38th parallel.

North Korea and South Korea were two separate countries.

Before Korean War After Korean War

Before and After

Demilitarization Zone (DMZ)

The DMZ is the divide between the north and south at the 38th parallel.

It is heavily guarded by both sides.

Korea After the War

After the Korean War, American troops remained in South Korea to help rebuild and protect the DMZ.

Today South Korea is a free and democratic country. The US still maintains a large military presence along the DMZ.

North Korea isolated itself from the world under leadership of Kim Il Sung. They received financial support from the Soviet Union and China.

North Korea remains the only dynastic communist dictatorship in the world.

Concerns About North Korea

After the Soviet Union fell in 1991 North Korea lost financial support from them.

Most of North Korea does not have regular electricity, access to clean water, or medical attention.

They often suffer food shortages, but refuse to accept help from the south.

Leaders of North Korea

Kim Il Sung was the first leader of the Democratic Republic of North Korea (DPRK), and was a communist dictator.

When he died his son Kim Jong Il took over.

This is the first dynastic communist dictatorship in history.

When Kim Jong Il died last year his son Kim Jong Un took over.

After Kim Il Sung died in 1994 his son Kim Jong Il took over. Kim Jong Il died in December 2011, and his son Kim Jong Un became leader of North Korea. Not much is known about his son.

What is life like in North Korea?

North Koreans are completely cut off from the outside world, and only hear information the government wants them to.

All the textbooks in schools are written by Kim Il Sung or Kim Jong Il.

Propaganda

Most of the propaganda North Koreans are exposed to portrays the leaders in a God-like manner, and Americans as imperialists who want to destroy them.

The portray Americans/capitalists as corrupt and evil.

Prison Camps

The usage of extreme censorship and propaganda keeps most citizens loyal to the government.

When this does not work the North Korean government uses prison camps as a punishment.

They deny that these camps exist.

Nuclear Weapons and Threats of War

It is no secret that North Korea is actively working on developing nuclear weapons.

In February 2013 they conducted their third known nuclear test.

South Korea feels threatened by North Korea ramping up their nuclear program and many are calling for the US to provide them with nuclear weapons.