Re: Poll: who started the Korean war in 1950
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Yeah, they hate us. But they aren't willing to be big boys and build thier own defense infastructure.
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SK is very militarized, it's not like they don't have troops on the line. More importantly, the US has often disrupted SK attempts to improve ties with the North, as if Washington is a better judge of the danger. Case in point, Washington frowned on southern investments in the north. SK is more eager for reconciliation, and the departure of US troops, than Washington.
In addition to Kaj's helpful contribution:
1. Originally, the USSR was going to occupy all of Korea. The US insisted on a shared occupation after the Bomb worked, and the US no longer welcomed Soviet participation in the war on Japan.
2. There had been significant fighting between north and south for several years. Rhee wanted to launch an invasion of the north, but the US refused the reckless act of giving him heavy weapons (unlike Stalin).
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