Heading north out of Southeast Asia we find ourselves spontaneously thrust into a new chapter for these histories. Admittedly, I am humbled by the task to attempt a summarization. It is arguably our most deep and complex country to date and as I write this from the Middle East, I understand that this complexity will continue to increase. Some nations require volumes and I believe South Korea to be within that category. I will therefore be much briefer on the early history to provide a better summary of the historical events that shape modern Korea. Here’s to hoping I can succeed in providing something light and informative.
There are some global affairs that seem to capture every nation in their grips whereas some are more localized. We see this for South Korea initially on the topic of European colonization, Chinese and Indian influence, and the Cold War that tore our planet in two. South Korea lies on the maritime silk road’s outer perimeter. It was relatively unexplored territory beyond China placing it outside of Europe’s initial interests. Geographically, they are nestled between two powers, China and Japan. Making them beneficial for trade but dangerous when they become interested in conquest. They were seized by the Japanese long before Imperial Japan sought the domination of all Southeast Asia and China. This 19th century seizure by Japan would consequently impact what would happen in the 20th, but their rapid revival in the 21st, who could have anticipated that? Beyond the K-Drama’s and K-Pop Korea tells a very interesting story.
Early History
The formal nation known as South Korea does not emerge until the 20th century in the aftermath of World War Two which we will reach in due time. The peninsula’s early history was one of competing kingdoms. The kingdom era ends with the long-standing Joseon Dynasty which ruled the island from the late 14th century straight through to the early 20th. The Joseon Dynasty was formed by a military commander of the earlier Goryeo Dynasty which had ruled the land since the 10th century. This change in command also led to a change in the ruling location with the construction of large temples and walls in the territory of modern Seoul.
At a high level they were agricultural, but the wealthy did engage in trade for porcelain, silk, spices, and other items primarily coming through the Chinese. The presence of Buddhism arrived in the 4th century in addition to Confucian thought that was long established in their politics and lifestyle. They utilized Chinese characters which were later adapted to hanguel, a writing system that is commonly touted as the most scientific and easiest to learn. In the 13th century they were invaded by the Mongols following their sweep through China. Throughout the Joseon Dynasty they were under constant threat from neighboring China and Japan and much of their fortifications remain in modern Seoul where they made their capital. Japan launched a late 16th century invasion that resulted in years of conflict before they were forced to withdraw.
The Joseon’s initially kept themselves isolated from trade with the Western powers, but did eventually sign agreements with the US, Russia, and the Europeans towards the end of the 19th century. After centuries of self rule the Joseon dynasty would come to an end with a successful Japanese invasion bringing us to modern history.
Modern History
Japanese Occupation
Imperial Japan would occupy the island from 1910 straight up until the end of their World War Two surrender. Its expansionary ambitions placed their neighbor under years of constant threat and warfare before the inevitable annexation. Their rule was rapid and brutal. Beyond their ambitions to control the land and its resources they also sought to wipe out Korean culture and replace it with that of the Japanese. This was done through enforced use of the Japanese language and through controlling the education system. Publicly they would display signage and films in Japanese whilst burning and destroying historical documents and replacing learning materials with those approved by the empire. The learning material displayed them as primitive in comparison with the Japanese. In addition, they destroyed and looted much of the Gyeongbokgung royal palace, forced families to relocate to Japan by the hundreds of thousands, change to Japanese family names, and used the Joseon women as sexual companions.
The occupation wasn’t without its resistance. The Korean people plotted many attempts at rallying against the Japanese. However, it would take Japan’s imperial ambitions coming to a grinding halt at the hands of the allies in World War Two that would see them finally liberated from tyranny. This intention was formalized December 1, 1943 with the signing of the Cairo Declaration by U.S. President Roosevelt, China’s leader Chiang Kai-Shek, and U.K’ Prime Minister Churchill. The document outlined that all three powers are:
“Mindful of the enslavement of the people of Korea, (and) are determined that in due course Korea shall become free and independent”
Aftermath of World War Two
In the aftermath of the war this intention was acted upon. The U.S. and Soviet Union divided the restructuring of Korea after the collapse of Japan. The U.S. would facilitate the south and the Soviet Union would facilitate the north. To avoid confusion a line was drawn on what is known as the 38th parallel. The site of the modern North-South Korean border and demilitarized zone (DMZ).
Unfortunately, when external governments bring their assistance, they also bring with them their own approaches to governance. In the case of Korea, the U.S. and the UN felt that the best way to restructure Korea was Democracy/Capitalism while the Soviets and China felt it was Socialism/Communism. Despite a shared cultural heritage and language this quickly tore the nation in two. In 1948 the UN proposed the establishment of the Korean government through democratic election, but the Soviets refused the entry of the UN Temporary Commission into the North. The South would hold their own elections as the North established the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Korean War
These differences remained administrative and ideological initially. However, there was another key difference; the North had a stockpile of Soviet weapons and the South was militarily defenceless. At a surprise to the world the North with its Soviet backing crossed the 38th parallel to seize the Korean peninsula. The North rapidly captured Seoul and proceeded south towards Busan to gain full control.
The U.S. saw this as a direct threat to not only the South Korean people but also democracy itself. They had already publicly vocalized their intentions to halt the spread of communism. As a result, the U.S. with the support of a U.N coalition mobilized an army to support the South Korean people making it the first armed conflict of the Cold War.
The coalition under the leadership of General Macarthur launched a successful aquatic attack in Incheon near the modern airport to regain Seoul. After regaining Seoul, they forced the North Korean’s back across the 38th parallel.
“We are united in detesting communist slavery” – President Harry Truman
The U.S, South Korean president Syngman Rhee (depicted on Time Magazine cover below), and the United Nations then made the decision to cross the 38th parallel to secure the entire peninsula in the name of democracy. They rapidly obtained Pyongyang and continued north reaching the Chinese border.
What seemed to be a conflict reaching an end with a coalition victory quickly returned to full scale warfare. The North Korean leadership had previously received a guarantee from China that if the U.S. were to cross the 38th parallel in conflict with North Korea they would provide military support. It is speculated that the initial invasion of the South was discussed and plotted by Mao, Stalin, and Kim. This was evident by the initial Soviet backing but also the Chinese decision to come to their aid. In doing so the Chinese sent the “Chinese People’s Volunteer Army” to defend the North. It was a shocking and unexpected decision made by a China that was itself rebuilding after its own internal conflicts.
It is generally accepted that their concern was having a Korea that was highly favourable to the U.S. and Western Europe as their neighbor. Given the U.S. aspirations against communism they felt that the threat was worth coming to North Korea’s aid. The North would provide a neighbor whom they could better control and it was an opportunity to display strength of their own. The battles in the north were fought through harsh mountainous winters and significant casualties.
During the Chinese assault they forced the coalition south forcing the Hamheung evacuation which is the largest humanitarian evacuation in history. The SS Meredith Victory moved thousands south with its last boat taking 14,000 refugees 230 times its rated capacity. Miraculously nobody died and five people were born on the ship. These five were dubbed by the soldiers as the “Five Kimchi”.
Eventually the fighting ended in a stalemate and the Soviet UN representative recommended the signing of an armistice which persists today. The armistice dictated a border and demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 38th parallel for the North and South to co-exist. In addition, it detailed the prisoner of war (POW) exchange with the North requesting repatriation despite prisoner refusal to return to the communist rule. South Korean president Rhee ordered the release of some of the Communist soldiers at his own decision while the negotiations were still being organized.
Technically, the war is still ongoing with no substantial progress towards a formalized peace. For a long period, propaganda was broadcasted by both sides at the border to try and influence the minds of those opposed. There are a few examples of North Korean’s escaping either through China or soldiers making the risky dash across the DMZ. They bring with them stories of the conditions within the country that most certainly oppose those shown to tourists on guided itineraries.
It is disappointing to consider that 1.6 million lives were lost, and the result was the return to borders that were already existent before the North decided to cross it.
A People Divided
The Korean people remain divided. The contrast of the two nations could not be more apparent. South Korea is vibrant and modern, whilst the North has stories of hardship and struggle. The two parties have held peace summits with U.S. president Trump in the past two years, but nothing seems to have been resolved.
There has at least been increased communication between political leaders and members of the military to improve conditions, but the border remains securely closed. The south and north competed in some events as “Korea” for the Asian Games and stood together at the Olympics hosted by South Korea. For every headline of progress however, there is another that raises concern. North Korea has been making headlines for conducting nuclear missile tests. At the time of our trip they had fired a short-range missile capable of reaching Seoul into the ocean. Unification seems unlikely as generations of Korean people now grow up apart from each other. Everyday the impact of the decades old war seems to linger. Mass protests in South Korea occur to make it clear that the people want to keep their American alliance along with a democratic outlook. The U.S. itself is still seeking the return of the remains of fallen soldiers in North Korean territory, which is estimated to be in the thousands. There are some that wish for this unification, interestingly, a war museum guide shared with us that there is a rail station at the DMZ that is kept fully functioning with open tracks leading north to Pyongyang. She felt it was a sign to the North that said, “we are always ready when you are.”
Sources:
National Museum of Korea
Korean War Museum
Joseon Dynasty
Japanese Colonization
China in the Korean War
Korean War