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At
one time Korea was one country. It was
ruled by
Japan for centuries. During World War II (1943) the United
States, China, and the United Kingdom signed the Cairo Declaration.
This supported Korea's independence. In February of 1945, it looked
like there was an agreement to share in helping to
govern Korea.
Later
it was discovered that a secret agreement was made between the
United States and the Soviet Union to divide Korea. In August 1945,
Korea was
divided into two regions along the 38th Parallel. American armies
stayed in the southern region and the Soviet army stayed in the
northern region. This was to be temporary.
"It
was clearly understood in 1945 at the end of the war that Korea would
be restored as an independent country. The matter had been before the
United Nations and they had repeatedly called for the unification of
Korea."
Dean
Rusk, Assistant Secretary of State
"In
1948 the Republic of Korea was established in the southern sector. U.S.
military government forces left the following year, and the Soviet
forces also left the north. For a very short time it looked as if Korea
would be allowed to make it on its own."
On
June 25th, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. They captured Seoul
in 4 days. This started a "police action", a "conflict", a
war! By July 1st, U.S. troops arrived in Korea but were
driven back by the North Korean Army to
a small area around Pusan.
It
was not until September 26th that Seoul was captured by American
troops.
Over the next month, General MacArthur lead troops to drive the
North Korean Army back to the north.
The
First Marine Division landed at Wonson with orders to move north,
taking them to the Chosin Reservoir by November 25th, 1950.
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