Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and occupied it until August 1945, when Japan surrendered to the Allies. After World War II, Japanese troops in the region north of an imaginary line called the 38th Parallel surrendered to the Soviets, but Japanese troops south of the line surrendered to the Americans. In 1948, South Korea was established and named the Republic of Korea, headed by Syngman Rhee, with the capital in Seoul. At the same time, in the north, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was formed, led by Kim Il Sung in the capital of Pyongyang.
Koreans in the north felt that they should reunite their country under Soviet rule. On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops led a surprise attack across the 38th Parallel into South Korea. The Korean War had begun.
Two days later, on June 27, President Truman and 16 other nations in the UN sent aid to South Korea. 90% of the troops in South Korea were American. To counter the overwhelming force in American troops, communist China sent troops to support the North Koreans, which became a turning point in the war.
In 1953, the Truce Line was established between North and South Korea and remains to this day. South Korea today remains a democratic government, while North Korea today is a dictatorship.
By:
Rabea
Valerie
