IMPORTANCE OF KOREA TO USSR AND THE COMMUNIST BLOC

• IMPORTANCE OF KOREA TO USSR AND THE COMMUNIST BLOCK

  Korea as a platform to spread Communism to the Asia-Pacific

  • Soviet Union’s only ally in the Asia-Pacific was China

  • Korea was close to Soviet Union, China and other countries in the Asia Pacific

  • Thus, North Korea will be a good platform from which communism can be spread to other countries in the Asia Pacific
• IMPORTANCE OF KOREA TO USSR AND THE COMMUNIST BLOCK


  Counterbalance US influence in Japan

  • US occupied Japan after WWII

  • From 1945 -1952, the U.S. occupying forces, led by General Douglas MacArthur, enacted widespread military, political, economic, and social reforms.

  • Japan became a strong anti-communist ally to the USA in the Asia Pacific

  • Therefore, a strong communist Korea will help to balance American influence in the Asia Pacific through Japan
• IMPORTANCE OF KOREA TO USSR AND THE COMMUNIST BLOC

  USSR’s atomic bomb

  • Soviet Union achieved atomic parity with USA in 1949

  • Thus, USA could not use the threat of nuclear warfare to achieve its diplomatic goals

  • Thus, USSR was more inclined to provide support to North Korea without fear of the USA
• IMPORTANCE OF KOREA TO USSR AND THE COMMUNIST BLOC

  Sino-Soviet alliance

  • 1949: Communist victory in the Chinese Civil War

  • Mao Zedong signed a mutual defence agreement was signed between with North Korea in 1949

  • Stalin knew that China could also help North Korea if needed, and USSR did not need to be directly involved. This made him more confident about supporting N.K.