Korea now and then

North Korea backed by –◦ USSR and China

South Korea backed by- ◦ USA

After Japan ends WWII, North and South Korea split till they could decide what to do with country

Split the country along the “38th Parallel”

Effort to reunite the country as communists

Truman (President) decide to aid S. Korea.◦ Shows America’s willingness to get involved in

foreign affairs◦ Assume new role… which is?

As the world police/superpower “Containment”

United States (S. Korea)- hold elections

Soviet Union (N. Korea)- ruled by occupying armies

US and Soviet Troops leave countries in 1949- recognized as independent countries.

Why was this not a formal war?◦ Congress did not approve the war.

“Protection of civilians as they retreated before the enemy advanced”

US and UN forces push the N. Koreans back

Started as a defensive strategy turned into effort to punish the North.

China intervenes and pushes the S. Koreans, US, and UN forces back near 38th parallel

Did not want an all out war… How come◦Fear of use of nuclear weapons by the

Soviets Conflict quickly grew into a stalemate where neither side would be able to take complete control

Kim Jong-il Leader of North Korea from 1994-2011

Known for not allowing information into and outside of N. Korea

N. Korea media created cult of personality around the Kim Jong-un

Current leader: Kim Jong-un (Son of ^)

Amended N. Korea constitution to refer to himself as “Supreme Leader”

Learned to walk in 3 weeks, talk in 8 Wrote 1,500 books during 3 years at Kim Il-

sung University Kidnapped famous South Korean actress and

husband, gained trust after 8 years and film festival in Europe- abandoned and went back to S. Korea

Ability to alter the weather First round of golf -38 under par with 11 holes

in 1’s (Retired) Coached N. Korean World Cup soccer team with

invisible phone

Invented the first hamburger Bball- 3 pts for a dunk, 4 pts. 3 pointer

doesn’t touch rim, 8 pts. for basket in final 3 seconds, -1 pt. missed FT

Oldest bro supposed to take over, but lost chance on “botched attempt” to visit Japan’s Disneyland

Tried to ship all short people out of N. Korea Forced to stop smoking- bans cigarettes Doesn’t poop or pee

Very poor Large scale famine- 40% children under 5

malnourished- 500,000+ deaths Creation of Nuclear Weapons

◦ UN and USA have strict guidelines (N. Korea doesn’t care or follow)

◦ High tensions with S. Korea and surrounding countries