Korean Conflict1950-1953Background Information

(Burma)

1. What does the title of the article infer? Why might the wording sound familiar to you?

2. As you read the article, complete parts of the chart of info about the Korean Peninsula.

3. Compare and contrast the preparedness of the North and South Korean armies.

4. Why couldn’t the South Koreans detect North Korean movement?

5. On which country did the South Koreans place blame for the attack?

6. What is the Security Council issue described?

Newsweek Article 7/3/50 Newsweek Article 7/3/50

South Korean Flag

North Korean Flag

Japanese in S > US1949: US withdrewLeft 500 military advisors

Japanese in N > SU1948: SU withdrew

Armed North heavily

A. End of WWII

The SouthThe South The NorthThe NorthFormalFormal

NameName

PolitiPoliticalcal

LeaderLeader

Syngman Rhee

Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea

Republic of Korea

Kim Il Sung

The SouthThe South The The NorthNorth

CapitalCapital

EconomyEconomy

ClimateClimate//

LandscaLandscapepe

PopulatiPopulationon

Seoul

agricultureWarm,

Typhoons –

plainsTwo-

thirds20

million

Pyongyangindust

ryColder, less rain –mountain

sOne-third10

million

B. Dean Acheson’s Statement U.S. Secretary of StateUS would help if attack made to EAST of specified DEFENSE LINE

Alaska

Japan

Philippines

C. Reasons for Soviet InvolvementUS believed SU pressured NK to invade

BUT SU hesitant b/c we had A-bomb

Kim convinced

Stalin – low risk

operation AFTER he

invaded SK

WHY LOW RISK?

SU sent 26,000

troops & weapons

D. U.S.’s (non) interest in KoreaCivilian vs. Military vs. Truman viewsTruman ordered air/naval support to SK

Executive Privilege:

“President does not have to disclose information to congress or the Supreme Court…

Usually invoked to protect confidential military, diplomatic operations or private discussions/debates of president w/ close aides”

Truman commits 1.5 million US troops

Under auspices of UN

E. The S.U. Boycotts the U.N.•Anger over China reps; UN as tool of US

SU not there to VOTE NO to UN > Korea

United NationsUnited Nations

General AssemblySecurity Council- Talk about issues- Each country has a representative

- in charge of military- 5 permanent members

SU, Br, Fr, Ch, US- 10 rotating members