The Korean War

Why do you think the Korean

War is sometimes

referred to as the Forgotten

War?

Often referred to as the "forgotten war" because it came on the heels of World War II and was

overshadowed by the Vietnam War.

• What was the impact of WWII on Korea?

• Why was Korea a hotbed of conflict during the 20th century?

• What were the results of the Korean War?

EQ’s …

What impact did WWII have on

Korea?

What do you think?

Think about the various governments in place in Asia.

After WWII, Korean Peninsula

divided into North and South Korea at the 38th

Parallel

The Republic of South Korea established

1948

US helping South and Soviet Union

helping North

Conflicts and strained relations between the US and the USSR led to the Korean War which

devastated the whole country.

When the Communist troops of North Korea

crossed the 38th Parallel on June 25, 1950 and invaded

South Korea, the US became involved

because of a promise to support South

Korea. It was feared that this tiny peninsula

would be the setting for the eruption of World War Three.

The United Nations joined forces with the US and South Korea to stop the invasion.

North Korea had the support of

the Soviet Union and the military

support of China.

China and the Soviet Union

wanted to maintain

communism near their borders.

Korea like Vietnam, was part of the Cold War to stop

the advancement of Communism in Southeast

Asia.

In July of 1951, peace talks

began between the UN and the

Communists. The UN hoped for a

quick resolution; however, that was not to be.

The talks dragged on for

two years and 17 days; and all

during that time the war

continued.

The UN and North Korean leaderships

finally signed an agreement on July 27,

1953.

This agreement technically brought the

war to an end, but a state of hostilities continued to exist between North and

South Korea for many years, and even today the situation remains

unresolved.

Because the Korean War only lasted three years (1950 - 1953) it is not thought of as significant, and often not even mentioned.

Korean War Memorial

However, if one compares the statistics of the Korean War (54,246) to those of Vietnam

(58,226) which lasted over sixteen years, by ratio the Korean War was far bloodier than

Vietnam.

Korean War Memorial

Results of Korean War … Nothing gained … many died!

•North and South Korea still divided. •North Korea still communist.•South Korea still a republic.•Still the two are bitter enemies.

However … the US did meet its

objective … they did stop the

advancement of Communism into

South Korea!

North and South Korea

Today …The DMZ

The Demilitarized Zone (or DMZ) is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula. The DMZ serves as a buffer zone between

North and South Korea. Seoul, with a population of approximate 10 million is located within a couple of miles from it.

Scenes from the DMZ

A ten-foot-high barbed-wire fence runs along the southern side of the DMZ. The sign atop the hill

flashes patriotic slogans in an attempt to demoralize North Korean border guards.

Tunnels that have been found – North Koreans trying to dig under the DMZ wall.

• What was the impact of WWII on Korea?

• Why was Korea a hotbed of conflict during the 20th century?

• What were the results of the Korean War?

So… let’s review…

What do you think … did the US and

UN meet their objective in the

Korean War?

Ticket out the door …

•38th Parallel – line of latitude where North and South Korea divided•DMZ – demilitarization zone … a buffer between North and South Korea

Words to know …

So what are North Korea and South Korea like

today???North Korea Population: 22,665,345 of

homogenous Korean 51.34 infant deaths per 1,000 Buddhist & Confucianism

practiced. 99% of population literate Communist state one man

dictatorship Command economy with 1,800.00

GDP per capita Labor force: agriculture: 37%,

industry and services: 63% (2004 est.)

Issues: deforestation, lack of drinking water, hazardous waste, pollution.

Climate: temperate with more rain in the summer than the winter.

South Korea Population:48,508,972

homogenous Korean 4.26 infant deaths per 1,000 Primarily Christian & Buddhist 97.9% of the population is

literate Republic with a president Mixed economy with a GDP per

capita of 27,700 Labor force: agriculture: 7.2%,

industry: 25.1%, services: 67.7%

Issues: air & water pollution, acid rain

Climate: temperate with more rain in the summer than winter

North Korea & South Korea