Sociopolitical Issues of Korea from 1950 to Present Day
Sociopolitical Issues of Korea from 1950 to Present Day
The Korean peninsula shot into prominence in 1950 when it became the theatre of a major war between the communists and the United Nations forces led by United States.
Geographical Location:
The Korean peninsula lies in North East Asia. The Potsdam Conference of July 1945 designated 38th Parallel as the dividing line between American and Soviet forces. The DPRK and the Republic of Korea were declared in 1948.
North Korea:
North Korea covers an area of 47399 square miles and has a population of 23,904,124. It has China and Russia on North and South Korea on South. It is a communist state. Currently Kim Jong II is the leader of the government since July 1994. Pyongyang is the capital of North Korea.
South Korea:
South Korea has an area of 38375 square miles. It has a population of 45,482,291, which mostly consists of Christians and Buddhists. Currently Kim Young Sam is the President of South Korea. Seoul with a population of 10.8 million is the capital whereas Pusan, Taegu and Inchon are other major cities of the country.
Historical Background:
Korea is an ancient land. In the 7th century A.D. it was a united empire under the Silla Dynasty. In the subsequent centuries it remained a part of the Chinese Kingdom. It became an independent country in 1895. Japan's victories in the war with China in 1894-95 and with Russia in 1904-5 gave her a free hand in Korea which was annexed in 1910. It failed to recover its independence although a provisional government was established under the presidency of Syngman Rhee. In the Cairo Conference held in 1943 USA, USSR and Britain agreed to grant independence to Korea after the war. In 1945 the Japanese surrendered to USSR and US separately which resulted in the division of Korea into two parts along the 38th Parallel. The super powers USA, USSR and Britain agreed to place Korea under trusteeship for five years as no agreement could be reached on a national government there. In February 1946 the USSR set up a provisional communist government in the North. It was followed by the formation of Republic of South Korea in May 1948. The Soviet forces left North Korea in December 1948 whereas the US troops vacated South Korea in 1949.
Korean War (1950-1953):
The withdrawal of Russian and American forces from the peninsula by 1949 left the Korea under two...