Korea Before 1950: A Brief History

At the start of the 20th Century both Russia and Japan held imperial ambitions towards Korea and China, resulting in the Russo-Japanese War. Japan triumphed in 1905, and Korea became a protectorate of Japan shortly after. However, due to opposition from the Korean people, Japan forcably annexed Korea in 1910. Korea remained part of the Japanese Empire until 1945, when Japan surrendered at the end of the Second World War.

Soviet Russia accepted the surrender of Japanese forces north of the 38th Parallel, which straddles the middle of Korea, while America accepted the surrender of the Japanese in the South. Because neither the Soviets or US could agree on how to set up an independent Korean government, the country was split into two states along the 38th Parallel.

The North became the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) - a Soviet satellite under a communist government led by Kim Il-sung - referred to throughout North Korea as "Great Leader".

The South became the Republic of Korea (ROK) - a pro-US dictatorship headed by Syngman Rhee.

Both heads of state were nationalists intent on reunifying Korea, and from 1948-50 there were numerous border clashes. US forces departed Korea in 1949, and the South Korean army was rife with disillusionment towards Rhee's hardline government - leaving South Korea poorly equipped to fight a war.

After border clashes intensified, the North Korean army invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950.