South Korea Leaflets During Ww2

When WW2 ended, Korea was freed from Japanese control, setting a major war for territory and political power, the Korean war. North Korea allied with China wanting to promote Communism, and South Korea had the UN support, wanting to contain Communism and impose Capitalism. One of the methods used by both sides in the attempt of winning the war was psychological warfare, specifically, leaflets. Pieces of papers that one side dropped by plane in the enemy's territory, with the aim of convincing citizens from the opposing side of their countries wrongness and convince soldiers to join their side of the war, actually meaning, surrender. Or, dropped in their own territory, with the means to keep their citizens and soldiers on their side. Even though

Also, the leaflets touched upon emotional aspects, such as homesickness. One tremendously effective leaflet made had a anti-morale theme, which consisted of emotional ties between mother and son, with the goal of provoking homesickness in the soldiers that were at war, and with this influence, increase their will to surrender. Besides the anti-morale theme, which criticised Communism, North Koreans way of living, and stressed North Korea and China defeats, there were other two types, good treatment and surrender appeal, which several times worked together. An example of good treatment in a leaflet that was made is one that highlights the Sino-American Friendship (Chinese & Americans). Even though South Korea leaflets, generally speaking, passed the message it intended to, there are the ones who did not. For example, some anti-morale leaflets consisted on showing photographs of dead communist soldiers and passing the message that soldiers were starving in the war. But that did not have an affect on the Chinese and North Koreans. Since the idea of dead soldiers, fellow partners, was already a well known reality, and Koreans were already used to

There, according to Major Albert C. Brauer, sampling and testing were made both on past and new ones, gathering data such as, important symbols and figures to Koreans and Chinese. Also serving as data, Chinese and Koreans social fears, passions, and weaknesses were gathered. All of this information was provided by the prisoners of war (POW) opinions, that were taken very seriously by the Unit. Friendly interviews with them were held with the means to understand their comprehension of the leaflet and overall effectiveness of the message trying to be sent. In theory, their comprehension would generalize to the rest of South Koreans and Chinese when the leaflet was dropped. It was also discovered by EUSAK that the best theme to portray in leaflets is good treatment. One of the most effective leaflets ever made in the Psychological Warfare Branch was one that sent the message that the UN is friendly and that the best option for North Koreans and Chinese is to surrender, since if doing that, they would be given food, warm shelter, and be able see their families again (emotional manipulation). Another point to mention is that this leaflet also instructed them on how to surrender. Since in one of the studies done in POWs, it was found that Chinese and Koreans lacked individuality. Even though there