North Korea

A very brief history of Korea
from 2333BC to AD 1910, Korea was self-ruled as a series of empires

• often work with China
• often didn't get along with Japan
• known as the "Hermit Kingdom" during the 19th century (very isolated)

1910 - 1945: Korea was occupied by Japan
then came World War 2


A little more Korean history...
Japan is defeated in WWII
in 1947, UN divides Korea into two halves at the 38th parallel
Soviet Union administers thhe nothern half
United States administers the southern half
supposed to be temporary...

 

Division of Korea
USSR and US could not agree on how Korea would be governed
Soviets set up a Communist gov't in the North, ruled by Kim Il-Sung
Americ set up apro-Western, democratic gevernment in the South
each side thought they should rule, leading to the Korean War (1950-1953)
total number killed : 2.5million (36,940 US)

 

Two nations, completely divided
North Korea

• Democratic People's Republic of Korea
• Capital : Pyongyang
• totalitarian Stalinist dictatorship
• single-party state
• cult of personality

Kim Il sung (1948-1994) "Great Leader"
Kim Jong il (1994-2011) "Dear Leader"
Kim Jong un (2011-now) "Great Successor"

• Juche ideology, Songon policy

and, to the South....
South Korea

• Republic of Korea
• capital: Seoul
• presidential republic
• very high standard of living
• fourth-largest economy in Asia
• president: Lee Myung Bak (2008-now)