IntroductionThe Korean War which is also called 6.25 War among Korean is a civil war between North part of Korea and South part of Korea. In 1950, North Korea supported by People’s Republic China suddenly invaded South Korea supported by United States. Many other foreign powers were engaged in this war. The Korean was not only war between North Korea and South Korea but also between Socialism and Capitalism. In this war, so many civilians as well as army were killed. In this paper, I want to analyze Korean War from beginning to aftermath of Korean War.Background of Korean WarSince 1910, Japan colonized Korea. Brutality of Japan was so severe that not only in domestic area but also in foreign field, there was a movement for independence. With the effort of Korean to independent, during the Second World War, at the Cairo meeting in 1943 and Potsdam meeting in 1945, Churchill and Roosevelt agree to independent Korea in reasonable time. However, August, 15th in 1945, Japan surrendered to United States because of Bombing.
Independence, divided Koreas4850264KAC, IB MajorKevin. ChoIn this paper, I discuss about process of independence of Korea. Also discuss the process of division of Korea and effect and role of foreign power based on Second World War and Cold War. For the last, I want to evaluate justification of foreign powers which were engaged in process of independence and division of Korea.Japan invading EraJapan colonized Joseon Dynasty since substantially in1905 and officially 1910 to 1945. Foreign policy of Joseon Dynasty (Ancient state of Korea) was closed-door policy. Joseon Dynasty mind to have relationship with foreign country without Chung Dynasty. As a result, at that time, Joseon Dynasty couldn’t adapt foreign developed technology. However, Japan adapted western culture and technology while Korea closed the door, they rapidly developed and their army forces developed rapidly as well. In East Asia, Han peninsular (current Korean territory) was strategic geography. It was the cross point noth Japan in Korea. So the righteous army started to fight in foreign places for the independence of Korea. And righteous army organized as a Korean National Army Liaison Unit. They fight at Manchuria and Yunhaju. Also with British, they fight at Myanmar against Japan. Later, this changed to independence army. They readied for the independence of Korea, however, before that, Japan loose at Second World War, Korea independent from Japan.The Second World WarIndependence of Korea cannot be explained without Second World War because Korea independent from Japan right after the Second World War with Japan’s collapse. Second World War started with German invaded Poland. It was world-wide war, and basically the war between the allied forces which were Great Britain, United State, and Soviet Union, and German & Japan. Originally, France and Great Britain want to stop German Nazi’s brutality, however, with the alliance between Germany and Japan, the War spread to Worldwide. United States started Soviet Union about Korean independence. However there were no specific promises to independence of Korea. Through Cairo, Teheran and Yalta meeting, they agreed independence of Korea in vague. However, with surrender of Japan and Germany, the Second World War was over and Korea independent from Japan. With these, all the conflict looked over. But there was another ideological conflict between Socialism and Capitalism and between Soviet Union and United States. It is so called ‘Cold War’The cold war and division of KoreaThe ideological conflict between socialism and capitalism was the key factor of division of Korea. The allied forces win the Second World War, the key issue was ideology. In 1945, after German surrender, the allied forces dissolute. With decline of Europe because of damage from Second World War, Soviet Union constructed leftist government on East Europe and wanted to spread socialism based on German economist Marx ideology. Great Britain and United stated worried that So8 N.L as the boundary line of military operation. In 1948, United Nation instructed Korea to vote. In the Southern part, Kim-gu declared unified vote between North Korea South Korea to presidential election. However, North Korea denied. So in South Korea, Lee seungman were elected as a president and in North Korea, Kim ilsung were elected as a president. However, ‘Cold War’ went severe and severe, finally, North Korea started Korean War. North Korea occupied almost whole peninsular, however, by the support of United States, South Korea occupied until 38 N.L. With the death of Stalin, Soviet Union and United States agreed armistice agreement so that finally Korea divided to South Korean of capitalism and North Korea of Socialism.ConclusionGeography of Korea is traditionally important among many countries. It is crossroad between Asia continent and Japan, and important ship road between Western and Eastern. As a result, Korea was invaded numerous times by China, Japan and Western countriries. If there was no foreign force, it was impossible to protect ‘Han peninsular’ could be ruled by Soviet Union or China. Also if there were no effort by the Korean independent army and domestic independence movement, before Japan collapses at the Second World War, Korea would be loose national identity. Because of unethical policy of Japan, 40 year could be enough for brain wash. It was obvious that foreign power especially United State played significant role for current existence of South Korea. However, there was no right and sovereignty of Korea in process of division. Officially, North Korea invaded South Korea without declaration of war. United States and Soviet Union intentionally occupied each part of Korean territory for their benefit not for benefit of Korea. If their intention was really stabilizing Korea, then they don’t need to make a line at 38 N.L. Because of setting 38 N.L., Korea emotionally divided. Also if Soviet Union didn’t incite North Korea to break Korean War