The Korean Conflict: Beyond Resolve?

THE KOREAN CONFLICT: BEYOND RESOLVE?

This paper reviews the conflict between North-South Korea and sets to determine whether or not differences between the two states are reconcilable. The paper does this by firstly tracing the history of the conflict between the two states. It then states the case as to motivate whether or not it is an inter-state conflict or if it contains elements of intra-state conflict. Thirdly, this paper discusses how the conflict has manifested itself over the past 60 years. Further on, the paper discusses external forces which have been involved in the conflict. Throughout the paper, the paper confers to the various settlement initiatives which have been undertaken. Consideration is then made as to why the conflict has not been resolved and whether or not it is beyond resolution.

1. History of the conflict

The origins of the conflict can be traced from the Korea War where the two states engaged in military as a result of the physical divide imposed by the Allied Forces who enjoyed victory at the conclusion of the Pacific war. Prior to the division, the Korean peninsula was under Japanese occupation. Japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula was in the period between 1910 until the end of WW2, which saw the subsequent surrender of Japan in 1945. Seven days prior to the surrender of Japan, the Soviet Union had declared war on Japan and thus sent troops to Korea. The Soviet Union accepted the surrender of Japanese forces in the northern side of the 38th parallel and similarly, the United States accepted the surrender of Japanese forces in the South of the 38th parallel. Subsequent to the surrender of Japan, the Korean peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel, by mandate of American officials. The Soviet Union then rapidly sealed off the 38th parallel borderline and subsequently established an interim government which was administered by Soviet trained Communist officials. On the South of the 38th parallel, the United States maintained military governance, which was met with anti-sentiments amongst its inhabitants. This raised discussion for speculation that the Korean Peninsula was used as a buffer zone for hostilities between the Soviets and Americans. The Soviets and Americans established a commission which was tasked with the reunification of Korea under a free government. The commission enjoyed little success in realising its objective. In response to the ailing situation in Korea, the United Nations resolved that free elections should be held in Korea as to elect a single Korean government. The elections were to be held in 1948 under the supervision of the UN. The Soviet Union denied the United Nations Elections Commission to enter North Korea. As a result, elections were held in the South and a national assembly as well as a president were chosen. From here on, South Korea assumed the name, Republic of Korea .A factor contributing to the deepening hostilities between the two sides was the failure to ensure free elections in the peninsula in 1948 In the North, the Soviets Union proclaimed an authoritarian Communist state called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 1948 saw the evacuation of Soviet troops from North Korea, leaving behind an entrenched Communist Regime and a well trained, well equipped North Korean Army. In the South, in 1949, U.S forces were withdrawn; they left behind a government which was relatively unstable as well as an army which was weak in relation to that of their North Korean counterparts. At this point, the 38th parallel became more of an ideological division and also into a political border dividing the two sides. At this point, both parties engaged in dialogue in an effort to reunite the two Koreas, these efforts however enjoyed very little success. In the subsequent months, tensions intensified between the two entities. These hostilities were characterised by sporadic miniature clashes at the 38th parallel, supported guerrilla activities, and border raids by North Korean forces. South Korea was successful at resisting North Korean attempts at subversion. These sporadic clashes were sustained until tensions eventually led to open warfare by a frustrated North Korea which felt war was a necessary means to achieving its ultimate goal of uniting Korea under Communist rule. In the unfolding of events, North Korean Communist forces led an invasion into South Korea territory on 25 June 1950. North Korea led armed forces across the 38th parallel in an invasion of South Korea which came as surprise. The armed forces of North Korea overwhelmed the South Koreans whose army was significantly smaller and less trained and equipped. South Korea was thus unable stem the onslaught. By June 28, Seoul's defences were overcome by their North Korean counterparts, across the south of the peninsula there were scattered remnants of South Korean forces, which were now retreating.

The sudden, unanticipated attack by the North Koreans sparked an instantaneous reaction from the international community, the United Nations in particular. Within hours of the invasion, the United Nations had sent out a message of condemnation against the attacks, calling out a cease-fire and ordering North Korean troops out of South Korea. This resolution by the United Nations was met with resistance as North Korean forces declined to withdraw their troops from South Korea. In response to this resistance, the United Nations called upon member states to provide assistance to South Korea in repelling the invasion. In reaction to this call by United Nations, 16 nations deployed troops to assist the South Koreans. The United States sent an army, Great Britain a division and the remaining 14 nations sent units of smaller proportions. The UN led a rapid counter-offensive which repelled the North Korean forces, coercing them past the northerly side of the 38th parallel, and as far deep into northern territory. North Korea now announced that they accepted the 38th parallel as a legitimate border between the two sides. The United Nations as well as the United Nations ignored these sentiments by North Korea and insisted on the coercive reunification of Korea under South Korean rule. After the unfolding of events, UN led forces had occupied almost all of North Korea, occupation spreading as far as the Yalu river which served as a border between North Korea and Japan At this point in time, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) entered the war, siding with the North Koreans after warning that they would intervene in aid of North Korea should the U.N send troops into North Korea. The UN underestimated the strength of the Chinese threat and Chinese forces were thus successful in repelling UN forces out of North Korea and drove them south of the 38th parallel. With both North and South Korea being assisted by external forces, the Korea