North Korea Review Geography Korea is a Peninsula

North Korea

Review: Geography Korea is a Peninsula located to the East of China. It’s geography helps protect it from land invasion and provides it with the ability to trade and fish. North Korea has a colder climate in the winter months than South Korea. ^Topographic maps show the elevations of land masses.

Review: Nicknames The Cultural Bridge Shrimp Among Whales Hermit Kingdom Korea helped stimulate trade between China and Japan. As trade and cultural diffusion passed through the Korean Peninsula, Korea adopted many cultural traits from its neighbors. Korea has always been the small nation stuck between the giant powers of Russia, China and Japan. Since being taken over by the Kim family, North Korea has few contacts with the outside world, with only China remaining an ally

Japanese Imperialism Following the Meiji Restoration the Japanese needed more resources so they began a policy of Imperialism of their neighbors. Soon, Japan had control over Korea, Manchuria and China. In Korea the Japanese were brutal: they forced the Koreans to turn away from their traditions and to only speak Japanese. The Koreans were also forced to grow food (like rice) for the Japanese.

World War II Throughout WWII, Korea was controlled by the Japanese and supplied Japan with food and supplies. Once the war had ended, Korea and other colonies were given their independence. However, to help Korea rebuild and become stable, the Allies split Korea into 2 parts. Along the 38 th parallel, Korea was split into North Korea and South Korea. The Northern half was supported by the Soviet Union, and the South had assistance from America.

Communist Takeover Under Communist influence the dictator Kim Il Sung took over North Korea and became an ally of the Soviet Union. Kim Il Sung used his influence to invade South Korea; his goal was to reunite the nation. However, the US could not let communism spread because it violated our policy of Containment. The Korean War had begun. The Domino theory and Containment policy pushed America into this war, and it was the first time that the US did not dominate.

US and Korean War Ultimately the Korean War turned out to be a failure for the US. After quick advances by both sides, the war stalled into a stalemate along the 38 th parallel. For 3 years neither side gained an advantage. An armistice was declared and the 38 th parallel became a permanent boundary line. This line is known as the DMZ- De militarized Zone.

Korean Isolation Since the end of the Korean War, North Korea has isolated itself from the outside world with only the Soviet Union and China for allies. Once the Soviet Union fell, North Korea has to rely on China for all assistance. The dictator Kim Il Sung wanted to keep North Korea self-sufficient and refused outside help. To focus the people Kim Il Sung’s propaganda started calling him the “Great Leader” a title he and his family still hold today.

The Great Leader After Il Sung’s death in 1994 his son, Kim Jong Il took over the government. Jong Il continued his father’s strict communism and imposed harsh laws to maintain order. When Jong Il grew sick and died in 2011 the world thought North Korea may slowly rejoin the world. Instead, the successor, Kim Jong Un, has maintains harsh control over the government and his people. Today, Kim Jong Un is one of the most feared and unpredictable rulers in the World.

Korean famine For years, North Koreans have lived on the edge of starvation and malnutrition despite the government dumping millions of dollars and resources into nuclear weapon programs. The North Korean government has claimed to not only have an Atomic bomb, but also an H Bomb. However, there is no evidence of an H -bomb.

North Korea vs South Despite being part of the same peninsula, North Korea and South Korea are drastically different. The North controls the daily life of all its’ citizens, but the South is a democratic and capitalist nation. While the North focuses on its military, the South moves towards economic growth.

Sanctions against North Korea The United States and several other nations have placed economic sanctions against North Korea. These Sanctions are meant to pressure the government into providing rights and basic living needs to their people.

Review The main reason the United Nations sent troops to Korea in 1950 was to 1. Ensure that food reached areas of the Korean Peninsula affected by famine 2. Prevent North Korea from conquering the people of South Korea 3. Force the inspection of nuclear weapons plants in North Korea 4. Restore peace between warring factions of Buddhism and Shinto

Review Who is the Communist leader of North Korea? 1. 2. 3. 4. Nelson Mandela Pol Pot Mao Zedong Kim Jong Un

Review Geographically, Korea can be described as a 1. 2. 3. 4. Plateau Peninsula Archipelago Island

Review One reason North Korea has been the focus of worldwide attention in the mid-1900’s is because of its 1. 2. 3. 4. nuclear weapons development programs Commitment to increasing political freedoms Development of a strong and expanding economy Efforts to revive communism in Eastern Europe

Review The modernization of Japan during the Meiji Restoration resulted in 1. 2. 3. 4. A return to a feudal system of government The rise of Japan as an imperialistic nation An alliance between China, Korea, Russia and Japan A strengthening of Japan’s isolationist policies

Life in North Korea focuses all of its energy on building up its military and has few resources left to provide training for doctors and other professions to take care of the people’s needs. In 2006 National Geographic followed an optometrist to North Korea and used hidden cameras to get footage that North Korea would typically censor and forbid.