The Rising Sun Sets on Korea

The prime location of the Korean Peninsula made Korea a target for many strong and ambitious countries. Japan’s initial attempt at conquering the land back in 1592 failed due to Korea’s innovative war force, an ironclad ship known as a turtleboat, led by Admiral Yi Sunsin, and China’s support as Korea’s patron. (A) However, Japan returned years later after defeating both China and Russia in their respective wars [the Sino- Japanese War in 1894 and the Russo- Japanese War in 1904] and gained the Korean peninsula as their prize.(A)

The fall of Korea to Japanese hands can also be rooted back to the lack of modernization throughout Korea. Although many officials in Korea were warned and urged to take part in the global industrial revolution that occurred, officials chose to adopt an Isolationist policy, which gave Korea the nickname,”The Hermit Kingdom”(B). Closed off from all progress and connection to the rest of the world, Korea was unprepared when Japan defeated their neighboring patron, China, and held no match for the mighty forces that invaded their country.(F)

The Japanese annexation began in 1910, and lasted for 35 long years.(F)

Turtleboat, Say What?

The fierce Korean Turtleboat, created by Admiral Yi Sun-Shin lead the Koreans to victory against  Japan's initial attack back in 1598. This ironclad ship, made up of a combination of wood and steel nails, ensured solidity and prevented invaders from mounting their boat. The clever design allowed the crew of the Turtleboat to be able to see everything on the outside from the inside, however did not allow outsiders any view of the interior of the ship. Armed with 14 battleship guns, 16 oars, and 2 sails, this boat ruled the seas in battle.

The Turtleboats, under Admiral Yi Sun-shin's command, lead the fronts in various naval battles, such as ones in  Sacheon,  Dangpo, Hansan, and Busan, keeping the Japanese at bay for several years.

A duplicate of the original Turtleboat completed construction on January 30, 1980, by the Republic of Korea's Naval Academy, based on data found in Admiral Yi Sun-shin's biography. The boat now rest peacefully in the bays of the Republic of Korea's Naval Academy Museum at Aenggok-dong, Jinhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do.

Republic of Korea Flag

The Republic of Korea, more commonly known as South Korea, established this flag first in 1883, and adopted the current issue in 1948. Designed by King Gojong, or Pak Young- Hyo, the flag exhibits a white background, a red and blue taeguk [or yin and yang], and four black signs. Each sign actually represents a different aspect of nature, seasons, directions, virtues, family, elements, and definitions. The official Romanisation of the name is Taegeukgi.

The Light of Day

The years spent as a colony of Japan were difficult; while the economy grew and modernization began in Korea, almost all of the benefits went to Japan. Businesses and land were taken away and given to any Japanese native for a cheap price, which often lead Koreans into food shortages. Numerous Koreans were also forced to leave their home country in search for a better life, only to find that conditions elsewhere were no better. Korean culture suffered the most damage, especially the Korean language, which was forbidden in any form(A). The Japanese forced their language and religion upon Koreans, leading many Koreans to adopt Japanese names. During this time, many Korean treasures were stolen, most of which have not been returned to this day(B).

Samil
Independence Day
March 1, 1919

 This suppression of culture motivated many Koreans to become politically active. Many staged demonstrations against the Japanese, including one where a Declaration of Independence was created. This movement, in Pagoda Park involved 33 patriots who successfully established a provisional government in Shanghai and organized one of the first struggles against Japanese forces(B). Another attempt in throwing off the Japanese reign occurred at the 1919 Versailles conference, where Koreans protested for international support(A). Unfortunately, this movement also failed. The most famous effort for resistance occurred on March 1, 1919, which today is known as Samil [Independence Day](F,B). However, this demonstration also failed, with an estimated 7,000 Koreans killed and thousands imprisoned(A). Following these events, nationalists and communists movements developed among Koreans and exiled Koreans in the former USSR, Manchuria, and China in an effort to reclaim their homeland (F).

Democratic People's Republic of Korea Flag

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, more commonly known as North Korea, established this flag in 1948, after becoming a Communist state. Containing a similar color scheme from the Republic of Korea's flag, this flag contains a red stripe, representing revolutionary traditions, a red star for communism, two blue stripes for peace and friendship, and white stripes for purity. Several other flags are also in use, such as the Korean People's Army flag and the Worker's Party of Korea.

A Separate Freedom

[left to right]
Democratic People's Republic of Korea leader Kim Il-Sung and Republic of Korea leader Syngman Rhee

Liberation from Japanese control came after Japan lost World War II and forcibly accepted the Potsdam Declaration on August 14, 1945 (F). Shortly before and after this event, forces occupied North Korea on August 8, while US forces occupied South Korea on September 8 (F). The US had set up a military alliance with conservative South Korean politicians, while Soviets allied with communist North Korean forces. After many attempts, the US and former USSR failed to agree on plans for reunifying Korea. The issue was presented at the UN meeting, and elections were only held in South Korea, due to North Korea’s denial of the UN elections’ competency (F). South Korea then elected a National Assembly that later formed a democratic constitution. On August 15, 1948, Syngman Rhee, the first president of the Republic of Korea was elected(F).  At the same time, ex-anti-Japanese guerrilla leader Kim Il- Sung controlled North Korea.  While both North and South claimed to contain the only legitimate  government of all Korea, the UN general Assembly acknowledged only the Republic of Korea, or South Korea, as the singular and official government of Korea (F).

                On June 25, 1950, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea invaded South Korea in an attempt to unify the peninsula under communist control(E). After advancing and taking over Seoul, the Republic of Korea’s capital, the UN Council declared the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as the aggressor of the battle and ordered the troops to withdraw. Upon receive this news, US President Harry S. Truman ordered all US units to battle on June 30(E). Shortly after, the UN created a multinational command to join US troops in aiding the Republic of Korea. After disintegrating North Korea’s army, US General Douglas MacArthur drove his troops into North Korea, only to be engaged in battle by Chinese troops. China, who declared against the reunification of Korea by US and UN forces fought back until General MacArthur retreated and established the 38^th parallel as the boundary between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea(E).

The 38th Parallel; The boundary line between North and South Korea.

                The end of the Korean War came on July 27, 1953, after the North Korean People’s Army, Chinese government volunteers, and Command at Panmunjom in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea signed an armistice agreement(E). The Korean War cost about 415,000 South Korean lives, 23,000 American lives, and 3,100 UN ally lives(E). An estimation of 54,000 North Korean lives were officially reported lost, however, some also estimate almost 2 million lives lost(E). Through all the devastation, a conference regarding the reunification of Korea was held in 1954, however no agreement was reached(E).