1. U.S. Presence In the Korea Peninsula

2. Where is the Korean Peninsula?

3. Brief History-
Early 20th century Japan and China fight for control, Japan wins and annexes (takes) Korea in 1910, ends Korean Dynastic cycle
Japan runs Korea… Koreans second class citizens in their own country
a. Koreans have take on Japanese names
b. Learn the Japanese language
c. Forced slave labor

4. 1945: Defeat of Japan - North Korea influenced by Communists (China/Russia) - South Korea influenced by America/UN

5. 1950-1953 Korean War. - North Korean success
Korean War - North Korean success - Americans/UN land drive North Koreans back - China enters and a stalemate at the 38th parallel - Cease-fire signed… no peace agreement

7. Korean War Controversy
Douglas MacArthur- highly decorated general from WWII.
Military governor of Japan
Commander in Chief of UN Command during Korean War
Wanted to take the whole of the Korean Peninsula and possibly invade China; while Truman wanted to press for a peace plan
Publicly criticized President Truman and was relieved of command
Return home to a heroes welcome in New York
After relieving MacArthur, Truman’s approval rating fell to 22%

8. South Korea Since the Korean War
Slowly transitioned to a Democracy
Modernized through government support of giant corporations (Chaebols) and protectionism
Asian Tiger: A great economic world power and technological leader
High Value in Education

9. North Korea Since the Korean War
Communist government dominated by Kim-ll Sung, Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un
Poor human rights record
Highly developed military (15%+ of GDP)
Inadequate energy and food resources for population
Tense relations with neighbors and the U.S.
Nuclear Weapons- a few
- uses them as a negotiation tool