The Korean region has suffered a long history of occupations, tyranny and invasions. First Mongolian occupation (from 1231 until the 14^th century) then Japanese invasions (in 1592 and 1597) and then the inglorious year of 1910 when post Sino Japanese and Russo Japanese wars Japan annexed the Korean territory to its expanding empire. Relief from Japanese atrocities came with a cost after the end of World War II. Soon after Japan relinquished its control, Korea was divided into two occupation zones. United States occupied the Southern half of the Peninsula while U.S.S.R occupied the area north of the 38^th parallel. As neither country planned on continuous occupation U.S, U.K, Soviet Union and China began negotiations to determine the “Korean Question”. However, the negotiations failed and the matter was submitted to the UN General Assembly. As generally happens when a nation’s fate lies in third party’s hands, August 15, 1948 the Republic of Korea was established in the South while September 9, 1948 the North established the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea dividing the Korean homeland into two bitter parts. The division separated the mineral resources and heavy industry of the North from the light industry and agricultural base of the South. Though the war damage was monumental both sides it was greater in North where U.S. bombing virtually obliterated the industrial base.

Strife between both Koreas is deep due to age old ideological conflict of capitalism versus communism. While South Korea is more influenced by U.S and its capitalist ideology, North Korea till date follows communism. Due to their ideological beliefs development in the new nations proceeded in very different ways. South Korea, under U.S. guidance, embraced private enterprise and North Korea chose a command economy inspired by the Soviet Union.

In the 1950s and 1960s North Korea achieved rapid economic progress under its centralized direction of the economy. Extensive Soviet and Chinese aid also helped. South Korea too caught up in the mid 1960s and since then rapid development and loyalty to capitalist regime has made it one of the largest economies in the world.

Today South Korea is a world economic power while North Korea is destitute, subsisting on handouts, many from its longtime foes in the South. In absence of adequate development opportunities and in a bid to update its defense technologies North Korea resorted to selling its defense technology to countries like Pakistan for nuclear technology. North Korea’s nuclear ability has been a source of worry for the western world and Japan for a long time. The most recent example is reaction of U.S to North Korea’s declaration that it shall launch a satellite in coming days.

According to U.S and South Korean officials the ‘satellite launch’ is a cover up to test fire long range missile Taepodong-2. The missile is thought to have an intended range of about 4200 miles (6700 kilometers). Owing to the satellite launch 2 female American journalists have been detained while filming near the North Korea – China border.

This incident once again reminds us of the Non – Proliferation Treaty, its unsatisfactory success and allegations by various countries that while U.S takes the moral high ground and preaches de- nuclearization to the world  it maintains its own nuclear power and arsenal.

Another piece on U.S, world and Nuclear power some other day….