The Korean War

Ms. HuntRMS IB Unit 6

2014-2015

Korean War• Japan controlled the territory throughout World War

II – After defeat the Soviet Union controlled Northern areas

and USA controlled Southern Areas*Sound familiar? Why?

• 1950 North Korean troops entered South Korea (with Soviet Union’s help)• United States helps South Korea- wished to “save Korea

from communism”• Containment!

• 1953- cease fire signed creating the DMZ- demilitarized zone

Comparison of the Two Koreas

North Korea• Once Communist based

Government, now totalitarian (totally controlled by the government leader)

• Korean Worker’s Party• Dicator- Kim Jong Un• Economy- Run by the state

South Korea• Government divided into 3

branches• President- 5 year term and

head of the govt.• Economy- “Production,

Exports, and Construction!”• Western Influence

Dictators of Korea

• Kim Jong Il- Dictator of North Korea, 1994-2012

• Under his regime, North Korea was charged with many human rights violations– Starvation– Public executions– Slave labor

• Very secretive society• Nuclear program against UN policies

created before the Korean War• Died in December 2011- Son, Kim

Jong Un took over North Korea• Threats of nuclear missiles

Current Events- North Korea• Video Clip- Secret State of North Korea, 4:30

mins– http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/secret

-state-of-north-korea/• Following the video clip, discuss with your

peers the following questions:– Why would filming be considered treason in

North Korea?– Why does the North Korean government keep

their nation isolated?– How do you think China hopes to “pressure”

North Korea by building a border fence? Why?