Empire 173. The Korean War: Dividing the Peninsula
8 snips
Jul 31, 2024 
In this discussion, Paul Thomas Chamberlin, an Associate Professor of History at Columbia University, dives into the brutal legacy of the Korean War, which resulted in around 3 million casualties. He highlights the profound impact of the conflict on the division of the Korean Peninsula and the rise of Kim Il Sung. Chamberlin also examines General MacArthur's complex legacy and the harrowing realities of urban warfare, including the use of white phosphorus. The conversation culminates in insights about the war's ongoing geopolitical implications.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Start of the Korean War
- North Korean forces launched a surprise attack on South Korea in 1950, crossing the 38th parallel.
- South Korean officials panicked and detonated bridges, killing civilians and stranding troops.
Korean Perspectives on the War
- Many Koreans viewed the conflict not as an invasion, but as a continuation of an ongoing civil war.
- The North Koreans framed their actions as a liberation movement, aiming to unify Korea.
Massacres during the Korean War
- The Korean War was marked by horrific massacres on both sides, beginning even before 1950.
- South Korean leaders ordered the execution of thousands of political prisoners as North Korean forces approached Seoul.
