2. North Korea 7th Grade World Geography

3. 3 Main Topics Korean War- how did things get so bad? Current conditions- what is life like for North Koreans? Nuclear program- what might happen in the future?

4. Korean War 1950-1953 Resulted in the division of Korea Peace treaty has not been signed

5. Division of Korea Japan took over Korea in 1910 After Japan is defeated in WWII, U.S. and Soviet Union divide up Korea North, controlled by Soviets, became Communist. South, controlled by U.S. became Capitalist. Cold War begins and tensions grow between North and South

6. War Begins Kim il-Sung put in power by Soviets Asks to invade South Korea to reunite country Nearly takes over South Korea U.S. sends troops to support South Koreans

7. U.S. Involvement President Harry S. Truman wanted to prevent spread of Communism U.S.-led forces fought back to near the Chinese border China supports North Korea, drives back South Koreans

8. 38th Parallel 1953- Ceasefire agreed to, but no peace treaty 38th Parallel becomes border between North and South

9. Recent Events 1991- Soviet Union collapses North Korea no longer has financial support Starvation and hardship for many citizens followed U.S. not willing to help

10. Life in North Korea 13 million people are malnourished (60% of children) Over 1 million soldiers in military Government spent 30% of income on military Citizens are forbidden to have contact with outside countries through phone and internet

11. Citizens of North Korea must obey a curfew. Satellite photos show lights turned off throughout the country.

12. Floods have frequently wiped out grain harvests, leading to famine. Nearly 2 million people died in the mid 1990s from famine.

13. Rural areas are extremely poverty stricken.

14. Kim Jong-il Extremely unstable Critics are jailed Has ordered monuments built around the country Birthday is a national holiday Imported 200 Mercedes Benz sedans ($20 million)

15. Nuclear Program 2002- admitted to developing weapons 2006- claimed to have successfully tested weapons Considered by U.S. government to be a threat