The Independence and Isolation of North Korea Essay

Once upon a time, Korea was one single country. There was no split of the North and the South. They were simply a very mountainous peninsula that was known as the Hermit Kingdom. They were a single country for three dynasties: Silla, Koryo, and Choson. This single country was even able to develop their own language “Hangul”. Soon this isolated country became exposed to the cruelty of the world. In Japanese occupation, Japan marched into Korea and tried to Japanize everything. They made everyone get rid of their Korean names and replaced “Hangul” with the Japanese

The Korean War begun far before North Korea had launched their first assault upon South Korea. Nearing of the end of the Second World War, the Korean Peninsula had been under Japanese control. Soon enough it was liberated by both American and Soviet forces, the Soviets occupying the country north of the 38th Parallel, and the Americans south of it. After the war, neither the Koreans, Soviets, nor the Americans could agree on the country's government. This resulted in the foundation of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the south and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north (Ohn Chang-Il, 23). The fact that neither the States nor the Soviets were willing to compromise on anything was a prime factor in the separation of the Korean Peninsula.

The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was a war between the Republic of Korea (South Korea), supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea),

The Korean War (1950-1953) began when the North Korean Communist army crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded non-Communist South Korea. As Kim Il-sung's North Korean army, armed with Soviet tanks, quickly overran South Korea, the United States came to South Korea's aid. The war involved America, the Soviets (Russia), China, South Korea and North Korea.

In 1950, South Korea developed its economy and was greatly influenced by the United States of America. While North Korea followed the path of communism, South Korea discovered a better path of developing their nation and becoming more unified as a family. The surrender of Japan to the allies at the end of World War II was the catalyst in the split of Korea. North Korea then attempted to conquer the Korean peninsula by force (Armstrong). South Korea focused on intensifying their nationalism such as developing their own culture and the unity of factions. Additionally, South Korea focused on improving the efficiency of its government system as it selected a new designated leader and received support and funding from their

After the World War II, the Japanese surrendered to the Soviet and the Americans in both North and South Korea respectively. The Korean Peninsula was divided into two states at 38th parallel. In 1948, both states declared independent. Syngman Rhee was the Non-communist Democratic leader in South Korea, Seoul was chosen to be the capital. In North Korea, their leader was Kim Il Sung, established the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in Pyongyang. During this time, the United States were retreating its World War II troops. The Soviet Union spotted this advantage and supported North Korea with many military supplies in preparation for the invasion into South Korea. On June 25th, 1950, the Korean War erupted after North Korean troops infringed South Korea through the 38th parallel. South Korea called help from the United Nation to stop this invasion. Two days later, President Truman sent troops and military supplies to South Korea. Out of 16 countries helped South Korea, there were 590 000 troops, 90 percent were Americans, General Douglas MacArthur was in command, South Korea seemed to be ready for the Korean

Korea was once a colony of Japan but the many years of Koreans suffering through the colonial rule ended after the defeat of Japan by Russia and the US. They each took a part of Korea, the Soviet Union occupied the

Shortly after World War II, North Korea’s central government was renamed the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Conflicts began to rise when the North and South’s political systems contradicted each others. These differences led to warfare between these two countries. During the mid to late 1900's, the North Koreans under the Kim family, went to war with South Korea inflicting many casualties while economically isolating their country internationally creating economic struggles for their own people.

An impoverished country of more than twenty five million people, North Korea, also known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) was founded by the revolutionary leader Kim IL Sung after the end of World War II. North Korea began as an independent kingdom for much of its long history. Both North and South Korea were under Japanese control in 1905 until the country was split after the end of World War II. Located in eastern Asia in the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, North Korea sits in a strategic location bordering China, Russia, and South Korea. North Korea is slightly larger than the state of Virginia, but slightly smaller than the state of Mississippi and is mostly comprised of large mountains and steep hills separated

On June 25, 1950, the Korean War began when 75,000 North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) troops moved across the 38th parallel. Later that same day the United Nations demanded that North Korea withdrawal its forces and return to its borders. Kim Il Sung disregarded this and ordered his troops to press forward and by June 29, 1950, the capital of south Korean fell to the NKPA.

The conflict in Korea began in 1949, shortly four years after the 38th parallel had been established, North Korea’s leader Kim Il-Sung was eager to invade South Korea. In order to do so he needed the support of his strongest

The Korean peninsula has always been in a rough location. It is located between China and Japan, trapped. It could be reasonably compared to the rope in a tug-of-war game, having been occupied by one or the other for a large majority of time. In 1910, Japan had annexed Korea and were occupying the region. Their occupation stayed firm until Japan’s ultimate defeat in World War 2. One may think that Japan leaving the region would mean that Korea would receive its sovereignty back. However, they ended up becoming more divided than ever. After World War 2, the Soviet Union and the United States became involved in what is commonly known as the Cold War. The Soviet Union was communist. The U.S. wanted to keep communism from spreading. The Cold War

The Korean War began on June 25th, 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. On June 27th, 1950, American United Nations forces intervened to stop the advance. This action has positively and negatively affected both the United States and Korea. Deciding to aid South Korea in the Korean War has drastically changed the lives of many people.

North Korea is made up of approximately 24.9 million people which is about 25.32 million people less than South Korea. In 1945 the Korean Peninsula was divided because of the Allied victory of World War II and became North Korea and South Korea. The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang which is made up of approximately 2.581 million people. North Korea’s major religions

Geographically, Korea is a small country on the far eastern edge of Asia surrounded by China, Russia and Japan. South Korea is still under heavy military tension with North Korea. The area of South Korea is 100,210 square kilometers which is one fourth of California. The population is approximately 50 million. Its capital city is Seoul where approximately 10 million live. Its language is Hangeul (Korean). 29.2 percent of Koreans are Christians and 22.8 percent are Buddhists. 48 percent do not practice any religion. Although it is a small country, Korea is becoming a center of economic and cultural activities in Asia. Korea was colonized by Japan during 1909 to 1945, and later had to endure the painful Korean War during 1950 to 1953. However, since that time on, Korea has achieved amazingly splendid economic growth in a short period that was called as “the miracle of the Han River”. Today, Korea stands as one of the developed countries in the world. Now, Korea plays an important role in world economy as a member of G20 and hosted G20 Seoul Summit in 2010. Korea hosted the Seoul Summer Olympics in 1988, 2002 FIFA World Cup with Japan, and will host the Pyungchang Winter Olympics in 2018. Korea is famous for IT industries in global markets. Recently, Korean wave (Hanryu) for Korean dramas, movies, and music has been attracting worldwide audiences. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 2015)