The Division of Korea
During WWII, Japan had control of the Pacific Islands and some of South Asia. When Japan was defeated the countries they had control were left defenseless. One of those country was Korea. Since Korea had no military to defend themselves, the north had to surrender to the Soviet Union and the south surrender to the U.S. The country was divided at the 38th parallel (north latitude) creating North Korea and South Korea. The Soviet Union appointed Kim II-Sung to lead North Korea the communist side. U.S. appointed Syngman Rhee to lead South Korea making the country a capitalist country.
U.S. did not want the Soviet Union to get most of Korea and spread communism further, so they decided to evenly divide the country. On August 1945, Korea was officially divided at the 38th parallel. At first North Korea did not like the idea of splitting the country but eventually they changed their minds.
Kim II-Sung took office in September 9, 1948. Kim began to squash political opposition, particular capitalist. He called himself the ¨Great Leader¨. Kim believed that North Korea and South Korea should reunite under communism rule. So Kim launched an attack on South Korea that last 3 years with 3 million deaths, but the countries ended up where they left off.
Syngman Rhee was the first leader for South Korea. He would imprison or kill anyone who opposed him.
Written by Jesus Pacheco
Written by Jesus Pacheco