The Korean War

Background 1910: Japan took over Korea (which had been an independent, unified country since the 7th century) 1910-1945: Korean nationalists (both communist and non-communist) fought against Japanese occupation 1945: Nationalist revolution to reassert Korean independence. Japan surrendered, but US and Soviet troops stepped in and divided Korea at the 38th Parallel

Background The US and the USSR agreed that a provisional government should be formed (Moscow Agreement, 1945) After a period of supervision, Korea would be independent. As the Cold War tension increased, the US and USSR became unwilling to cooperate and divided Korea into 2 zones (1948).

Dem. People’s Rep. of Korea (DPRK) Background Republic of Korea Dem. People’s Rep. of Korea (DPRK) Syngman Rhee Anti-communist, authoritarian, undemocratic Supported by US US withdrew troops in 1949 Kim Il-Sung Communist, authoritarian, undemocratic Supported by Soviets USSR withdrew troops in 1948 Neither the US nor the USSR wanted to be dragged into a full-scale war, but when the US withdrew in 1949 it destabilized the region. Both Korean leaders became impatient for unification.

Korean War Kim Il-Sung was energized by the CCP victory in 1949 and thought this was his chance to unite Korea under communism. Neither the US nor the USSR was very concerned about Korea, esp. the Soviets – since North Korea bordered the Soviet Union Stalin was satisfied with communist proximity.

Role of the US “Defensive Perimeter” speech (Acheson, 1950) listed the countries the US would defend against communist aggression (primarily in Europe) Korea was NOT on the list – this may have led Stalin to believe the US wouldn’t defend South Korea.

Role of the Soviet Union Kim warned both Stalin and Mao (1949) that he intended to attack South Korea Stalin denied requests for aid and said China would have to help – was confident US wouldn’t intervene because they hadn’t in Mao’s victory in China This was reinforced by US decision to cut aid to South Korea Stalin did want a unified communist Korea because it strengthened Soviet security, give access to raw materials and offer an ally against Japan

Role of Communist China Mao was too preoccupied in establishing a single-party communist state in China (and planning an invasion of Taiwan) to worry to much about the Korean conflict He promised support, but only because Kim exaggerated Stalin’s support

Role of North Korea It was Kim Il-Jung who pushed for the initial attack in South Korea that started the Korean War Believed most Koreans would see him as a national hero if he united the two nations Worried about US build-up of Japan and wanted to strengthen Korea against western attack Kim was able to persuade Stalin that the war was going to be a quick victory Much of this was based on the “Defensive Perimeter” speech in which he thought the US would not protect South Korea