Kim Rhee Research Paper

History The conflict between North and South Korea has been active since 1945. Problems between ideologies emerged almost directly after the end of World War Two in 1945. During and after the war, there were two main ideologies that were forming in the Korean peninsula. The first of the two ideologies was centered around Marxism. The person that was the de facto leader of this movement was Kim Il-Sung. Kim had joined a communist youth group while still a child, becoming part of a guerrilla resistance force against Japan later in life. He was recognized for his superb fighting abilities, being noticed by the Soviet military. Kim then traveled to the Soviet Union where he honed his military and leadership abilities. In World War Two, he fought

Unlike Kim, he was not a supporter of communism. Rhee was raised in a Confucian education system, later entering a Methodist school. At this school, Rhee learned English, which would later be useful to him in his foreign studies. At 21, he joined a young Korean leaders club, with the intent to help fight against the Japanese occupation of his country. Rhee was arrested for his involvement in this club, on his release, he traveled to the United States to pursue his Ph.D. at Princeton University. When he graduated, Rhee became the first Korean to get a doctorate at an American University. He then focused his efforts to securing Korean independence from the Japanese. After the Japanese were defeated in World War Two, Rhee focused his efforts on persuading the United States to send aid to the southern part of Korea. This aid would go towards assisting the growing ideology he followed. This ideology opposed the one forming in the north of Korea. Eventually, his persuasion worked, with the U.S. supporting and sending resources to South

The communists took control of the North, supported by the Soviet Union. The other party took over control of the South, supported by the United States. This situation escalated as tensions between the two areas arose. The United Nations (persuaded by President Harry Truman) helped the South form their own country. This action was opposed by the Korean Communists, who formed their own army, the Korean People’s Army (KPA). The opposing ideology also formed their own army, the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA). Nevertheless, the Republic of Korea was officially founded in 1948, with its new president, Syngman Rhee. The war broke out on June 25, 1950, when Kim Il-Sung convinced Joseph Stalin to provide support to the North to invade the South. After long negotiations, Stalin sent Kim reinforcements, later on in the war, China also sent resources to back the communist government. South Korea was backed by the U.N. as well as the United States and the United Kingdom. One of the key figures for the United States was General Douglas MacArthur who helped direct both the U.N. and U.S. forces. The war went on for three years, with over two million casualties from all sides. The action to end the war was the armistice settled by North and South Korea. This agreement was called the Korean Armistice Agreement, establishing the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas, calling for a cease-fire, and