Korean War

• Korea was a Japanese colony prior to WW2
• 1943 - Cairo Declaration had determined that Korea would be independent eventually BUT "eventually" was never really defined.
• Yalta and Potsdam - Korea discussed but the US rejected Soviet porposals for a detailed trusteeship plan to be drawn up - the US wanted to try and limit Soviet influence in the region.
• KPR was viewed as Communist dominated - did have some Communists BUT also continued Syngman Rhee
• December 1945 - Moscow Conference: Brynes and Molotov agreed to establish a Soviet-American Joint Commission to work alongside a 4-power trusteeship which would prepare Korea for independence.
• In the North - Kim Il Sing Communist Nationalist declared Feb 1946
• in the South - Syngman Rhee denounced the Korean Peoples Republic
• Kim Ku was a nationalist alternative to Rhee and wanted immediate independence and attamped a coup against the American Military Government.
• Feb 1946 - RMC established - worked alongside the AMG
• In March 1946 - Soviet American Commission met again but could not come to an agreement on Korea.
• Rhee suggested the creation of a South Korean State, which the Americans agreed to.
• In North Korea,a state was also developing by 1946.
• in 1947 - JCS advised Truman to get out of Korea - had no strategic significance BUT Truman was worried about US credibility.
• UN Temporary Commission on Korea (UNTOK) established Sept 1947
• May 1948 - First elections in the South - they were declared free and fair despite the fact that many did not participate.
• Th Republic of Korea was declared as the lawful government of South Korea.
• 15th July 1948 Rhee elected as President of the ROK, which formally came into existence on the 15th August 1948
• Rhee was a conservative
• ROK effectively an authoritarian state that back supported by the US
• Communist threat still existed in the South BUT Rhee dealt with them harshly
• American occupation forces withdrew in December 1948
• Both North and SOuth wanted to unite under their respective political system
• Kim Il Sung asked both Stalin and Mao to support an invasion of the south. Mao was more encouraging than Stalin.
• Stalin was worried about coming into conflict with the USA
• Rhee had asked the US to support a strike against the North but US refused however they did sport, fund and train the Korean armed forces.