KOREAN WARKOREAN WAR

1950-19531950-1953

KOREA KOREA

KOREA’S HISTORYKOREA’S HISTORY

Ancient nation first unified Ancient nation first unified in seventh century.in seventh century.

Known as “Hermit Known as “Hermit Kingdom” – had a high Kingdom” – had a high point in Middle Agespoint in Middle Ages

Korea became a colony Korea became a colony of Japan in 1910. of Japan in 1910.

After Japan was After Japan was defeated in World War II, defeated in World War II, Soviet troops occupied Soviet troops occupied northern Koreanorthern Korea

American troops American troops occupied southern Koreaoccupied southern Korea

TWO RIVALS – Kim Il-Sung in TWO RIVALS – Kim Il-Sung in north; Syngman Rhee in north; Syngman Rhee in southsouth

FOREIGN TROOPS FOREIGN TROOPS WITHDRAW, ELECTION HELD WITHDRAW, ELECTION HELD ONLY IN SOUTH KOREAONLY IN SOUTH KOREA

NORTH KOREA INVADES NORTH KOREA INVADES SOUTH, June 1950SOUTH, June 1950

Mutual provocationsMutual provocations Each side feels it’s Each side feels it’s

only legitimate govt.only legitimate govt. Stalin believes S. Stalin believes S.

Korea is not in US Korea is not in US ‘defense perimeter,’ ‘defense perimeter,’ gives OK to Kim Il-gives OK to Kim Il-Sung to invadeSung to invade

HOW SHOULD U.S. HOW SHOULD U.S. RESPOND?RESPOND?

VIDEOVIDEO

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RESPONSERESPONSE

United Nations Security United Nations Security Council acts because Council acts because South Korea is only South Korea is only recognized government. recognized government. Why didn’t USSR object?Why didn’t USSR object?

U.S. sends massive U.S. sends massive numbers of troops along numbers of troops along with other countries.with other countries.

North Koreans quickly take North Koreans quickly take over most of the South. over most of the South. Longest retreat in Longest retreat in American history.American history.

U.N. troops evacuated U.N. troops evacuated

INCHON LANDINGINCHON LANDING

General Douglas General Douglas MacArthur in MacArthur in commandcommand

Orders massive Orders massive amphibious invasion amphibious invasion in mid-Korea to take in mid-Korea to take back Southback South

U.N. SUCCESSU.N. SUCCESS

U.N. troops push U.N. troops push North Koreans all the North Koreans all the way to Chinese way to Chinese border.border.

Chinese troops Chinese troops invade invade

Two sides fight back Two sides fight back to original to original demarcation linedemarcation line

NEGOTIATIONS AND NEGOTIATIONS AND STALEMATESTALEMATE

Last two years.Last two years. Pres. Eisenhower ends war in 1953 with Pres. Eisenhower ends war in 1953 with

a cease-fire line at 38a cease-fire line at 38thth Parallel Parallel Over 30,000 U.S. troops permanently Over 30,000 U.S. troops permanently

stationed in South Korea.stationed in South Korea. North Korea always ready to invade but North Korea always ready to invade but

never does.never does.

SINCE THE WARSINCE THE WAR

South Korea has become more democratic, South Korea has become more democratic, esp. since 1960s. Synghman Rhee and some esp. since 1960s. Synghman Rhee and some earlier presidents were dictatorial.earlier presidents were dictatorial.

South’s economy flourishes using Japanese South’s economy flourishes using Japanese model – Samsung, Kia, Hyundai, etc.model – Samsung, Kia, Hyundai, etc.

North Korea remains an isolated, Stalinist state North Korea remains an isolated, Stalinist state under Kim Il-Sung and his son Kim Jong-Il.under Kim Il-Sung and his son Kim Jong-Il.

Quest for nuclear weapons makes it a “rogue Quest for nuclear weapons makes it a “rogue state.”state.”