CAUSES OF THE KOREAN WAR
These are the events that contributed to the outbreak of war on the Korean peninsula in 1950:
- Japanese occupation of Korea
- American/Soviet liberation of Korea in 1945
- Events of 1949 and 1950
- Truman's 'Police Action'
Japanese occupation of Korea: long-term causes
Following the Meiji restoration of the second half of the 19th century, Japan emerged as a modern industrialized power based on a western model. In order to fuel economic growth, Japan adopted an expansionist foreign policy to acquire raw materials. Korea fell victim to Japanese aggression in the early 20th century- it was annexed in 1903 with occupation completed by 1910. Korean men were conscripted into the Japanese military and Korean women seized to be "comfort women" (or prostitutes) for Japanese soldiers during World War II. There were anti-Japanese guerrilla fighters active in Korea during the 1930's and 1940's (one of them was future North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung), but Korean independence from Japanese rule was only achieved following the liberation by American and Soviet forces.
American and Soviet liberation of Korea: long-term causes
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At the Yalta Conference in February 1945, the USSR committed itself to declaring war on Japan within 90 days of the defeat of Germany. By the Potsdam Conference in July and August of that year, it was clear that the Grand Alliance was fragmenting and that substantial difference were emerging between the USA and USSR. This may have played a role in the USA's decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan but what is clear is that was a rush by both sides to liberate the Far East.
Therefore, Soviet forces liberated the Korean peninsula north of the 38th parallel and Manchuria. In both cases, Soviet troops gave their support to Communist forces (Mao's CCP in Manchuria, Kim's Korean Peoples' Army in Korea) and armed them with abandoned Japanese weapons. Under General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Pacific Theater, the USA occupied Japan and liberated Korea south of the 38th parallel. Korea was now divided into two and dominated by competing ideologies: Kim Il-Sung's communist North Korea (DPRK) and Rhee Syngman's capitalist South Korea (ROK). |
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While the Chinese Civil War would rage again between 1946 and 1949, crucial developments occurred in Japan. Although allowed to keep Hirohito as their emperor, MacArthur became defacto leader of Japan in the immediate post-war years. He oversaw the writing of a new Japanese constitution which renounced war and stripped Hirohito of military authority. This also paved the way for sweeping political, social and economic changes that transformed Japanese society and that would eventually result in it becoming a leading economic power. By 1950, it was clear to the USA that Japan was becoming a valuable asset.
The events of 1949 and 1950: short-term causes
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Meanwhile, North Korean dictator Kim intended to invade South Korea and united the peninsula under communist control. In March 1949, Kim asked Stalin for permission to invade the South. His request was denied over concerns that Soviet Union would be drawn into a protracted land war with the United States in Asia. However, four events occurred over the next nine months that caused Stalin to change his mind:
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With all that in mind, Stalin finally approved Kim's invasion in April 1950, on the condition that Chinese communist forces would support North Korea if necessary. Kim informed an alarmed Mao of this development in May 1950.
On the 25th of June 1950, North Korean tanks rolled across the 38th Parallel and began the invasion of South Korea.
On the 25th of June 1950, North Korean tanks rolled across the 38th Parallel and began the invasion of South Korea.
Truman's 'Police Action': immediate causes
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Immediately following the invasion, the United States proposed a resolution to send a UN military force to South Korea at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The resolution passed because:
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