Korea: the Dragon-Headed Coin

Geographically, the Korean Peninsula commands a strategic location in East Asia. Far from ensuring Korea a powerful position in the Asian world, this tactical importance has been the motivation for the series of conquests that the region has undergone from its neighbors. Japan has called Korea “a dagger pointed at our heart” and China “a hammer poised above our heads”. For this reason, both countries have sought to control the peninsula.

Korea was dominated first by the Mongols, then by China under the Qing Dynasty in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Confucianist ideals of the Chinese spread to Korea and took root, and later would help to inform the structure of Korean society. The Chinese government, never known for

In 1945, Japan surrendered to the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. The two countries agreed that the United States would accept the Japanese surrender below the 38th parallel, while Russia would accept it above. This resulted in a split Korea, but the original plan was that the two halves would be unified. Various political parties were formed in Korea, all clamoring for rule.

In 1981, Chun Doo Hwan ended the period of martial law and inaugurated himself as President. He was succeeded by Roh Tae Woo in 1987. The 1988 Olympics were slated to be held in South Korea, and the DPRK offered to co-host the games. The ROK refused, preferring to handle it themselves.

Some topics in this essay:
North Korea, South Korea, Chung Hee, South Korean, Syngman Rhee, WWI Japan, Shek China, Qing Dynasty, North Korean, East Asia, south korea, north korea, chung hee, park chung, park chung hee, kim dae jung, kim dae, korean peninsula, dae jung, 38th parallel, south korean, il sung, kim il sung, chun doo hwan, north south korea,