Korea: U.S. imperialism from Truman to Trump
For over a century, the people of Korea have resisted Japanese and U.S. aggression and occupation. Washington killed 3 million Koreans three generations ago, and now threatens to rain nuclear fire on the peninsula.
Korea: U.S. imperialism from Truman to Trump
by Ken Morgan
“North Korean, with China’s support, drove back U.S./UN forces to the 38th Parallel.”
U.S. presidents waving imperialism’s flag from Truman to Trump have wrestled with the Korean issue. The U.S. became the official king of capitalism’s political and economic mountain after WWII. Today capitalism and U.S. hegemony is declining, making the U.S. a wounded lion. Still, the historic 1950-53 U.S. - Korean Conflict and its aftermath is the key to grasp.
U.S. occupied South Korea from the end of WWII from the 38th Parallel south for two and a half years after. Japan had done it since 1910 until its defeat. The U.S. –Soviet Union cold war agreement birthed the partition.
U.S. occupiers turned a deaf ear to Korea’s right to self-determination. The Peoples Committees sought to unify Korea through upholding its right to self-determination and independence. An array of forces including Communist, and nationalists comprised these groups that were rooted across Korea.
The world still shook from the U.S. dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan killing an estimated 250,000 people. Books such as Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Retrospect and Prospect tell the story.
In 1948, the U.S. through the UN sought and got approved the new state of South Korea. The U.S. then installed right winger Sigmund Rhee as president. It supported his backers that included wealthy business people, landlords, and former toady Occupation collaborators.
“The Peoples Committees sought to unify Korea through upholding its right to self-determination and independence.”
The U.S. called on the UN to supply troops to the impending war with the North. Most UN troops were Americans. In the ensuing 1950-53 Conflict the U.S. nearly destroyed North Korea to the tune of massive bombing up to the Yalu River. The Peoples Republic of China’s loomed on its other side.
North Korean, with China’s support, drove back U.S./UN forces to the 38th Parallel. It remains to this day the dividing line between North and South Korea.
Today, U.S. submarines troll the Pacific Ocean with many armed with nuclear missiles. In April of this year the US sent a military fleet to the waters of the Korean Peninsula area. They carried missiles, warplanes, and Navy Seals to simulate murdering North Korean leadership. Plans exist for a joint South Korean-U.S. military exercise soon.
The U.S. deploys about 1411 warheads on ballistic missiles around the world not including those stockpiled or retired. It could destroy the earth’s people 100 times. So says the Nuclear Arms Association. Who’s the nuclear threat?
Blacks need to have our own domestic and international agenda independent of Democrats and Republicans. Hands off North Korea. End the U.S. and UN sanctions against North Korea. Remove the 28,000 U.S. troops from Korea. Withdraw all U.S. planes and ships from Korean sea and airspace. End all military exercises. All parties agree to a nuclear free Korea peninsula.
Dr. Morgan is a Black activist scholar. He can be reached at kmorgan2408@comcast.net.
Orion Meadows is a non-violence trainer with Institute for Nonviolence Chicago.
Michael Li is Senior Counsel in the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice.
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