What are the reasons for the invasion by North Korea

[4MoreYearsOfHell]

into the south in 1950? And why was Korea split up in the first place?

I know a lot of why Vietnam ocurred, but am clueless as to the reasons behind the Korean War...

Seems to be a forgotten spot in our history...

Can any DU'ers help me out here?

[eyepaddle]

1. As to why Korea was split in the first place,

It was primarily because The Soviets declared war on Japan in August 1945 and launched a major offensive against the Japanese in the far east. As conferences had dictated how Europe would be occupied at the conclusion of its war, so too in the far East. However in this theatre that pretty much meant just Korea--although the Soviets invaded and seized control of the Kuriles and Sakhalin island (directly from Japan) as well.

The American Pacific commands were not too keen on this Soviet 'assisstance' and argued to keep the Red section of Korea as small as possible. The 38th parallel was chosen as a compromise.

As to what specifically precipitated the North's invasion of the South in 1950, well that I don't know. I've assumed it was just a power grab, but am not positive. Does anybody care to add to this?

[Left_Winger]

2. It was an attempt to reunify the country, albeit by force

The NKPA had been well armed (to include 150 T-34/85 tanks) by the Soviets while the ROK Army received only small arms from the US. As Sigmund Rhee was considered the more bellicose of the two (Kim Il Sung being a relatively unknown figure at the time) and more likely to initiate an "invasion of unification" the US only supplied the ROKs with basic infantry weapons (rifles, grenades, and light mortars). This led the NKs to think that they would be able to pull off a quick victory.

The NKPA also had superior tactics.

Lastly, Dean Acheson's speech in 1950, which did not include S. Korea to be within the US perimeter of defense, was the final item which prompted the NKs into action.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. I'd like to add that Korea was a Japanese colony at the time,

so that's why the Soviets moved in.

The colonial period was a harsh one for Korea. People were forced to assume Japanese names, the schools taught only in Japanese, and people were forbidden to speak Korean in public. On top of that, many were taken to Japan as slave laborers.

Many elderly Koreans speak perfect Japanese because of this language policy. But they sure don't like to.