Korea (WW II – Present Day)

End of World War II

1945 Japan loses World War II

United States and the Soviet Union agree that Korea should be independent.

Both countries send troops to ensure that Japan leaves the country.

Occupation of Korea

Soviet troops occupy the region above the 38th parallel.

American troops occupy the region below the 38th parallel.

Occupation was to last only until elections could be held.

Division of Korea

Korean nationalists divided into two groups – Communists – Non-Communists

1945 the Soviet Union helps the communists gain power in the north.

The United States helps the non-communists in the south.

The Two Koreas

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea = North Korea

Republic of Korea = South Korea

War in Korea

1950 – North Korea launches an all-out invasion of South Korea.

South Korea is poorly equipped and unprepared for this invasion.

Korean War

The United Nations sees this invasion as a worldwide communist threat.

The United Nations decides to send troops to South Korea.

15 nations send troops to South Korea, but the majority of the troops were American and South Korean.

Korean War

American’s land behind enemy lines and push the North Koreans back.

The Chinese come to the aid of the North Koreans and push the Americans and the South Koreans back.

Armistice

1953 – The war ends in a stalemate.

The truce left Korea divided along the 38th Parallel.

Results of the war

4 million people died

Many became refugees

Factories and farms are destroyed

Bombing from American planes left cities destroyed.

Modern Day South Korea

In fear of another invasion they created a large, well equipped army.

Syngman Rhee becomes the first president and is very strict.

Modern Day South Korea

South Koreans begin to demand greater freedom, but they are meet with strong resistance from the government.

In the 60’s protests forced Rhee to resign.

Modern Day South Korea

South Korea had to rebuild their shattered villages and cities.

Millions of refugees from North Korea fled to South Korea.

South Korea is being helped by United States aid.

Modern Day North Korea

Communist

No ties to the outside world

Kim Il Sung

Dictator from 1948 – 1994

Used propaganda to make the people loyal to him.

Known as the “Great Leader”

Kim Il Sung

Outlawed all religions

Tried to replace Confucian values with communist beliefs.

Juche

Means self-reliance

Avoided ties with other countries even communists

Built industry to supply the country’s own needs.

Make North Korea industrialized and more urban.

From 1995 on floods and other weather related problems have brought famine and death to North Korea.

About 10% of North Korea’s population has died from this

South Korea has sent North Korea aid during this hard period.

Uniting Korea

Korea would like to reunite. They are a Homogeneous society.

They have signed non-aggressive pacts and are working on peace treaties.

Each side is afraid that the other will try to overthrow their system of government.

North Korea has tried to develop nuclear weapons and is secretly still continuing to do so.