Historians Corée

Question 1

James Martray.

Answer 1

Korea. Suggests that the division of Korea led to a predictable war because the Korean people were not allowed to decide their own future.

Question 2

Bruce Cummings.

Answer 2

Korea. Argues that the 2 Koreas were already waging civil war before the official beginning of the Korean War.

Question 3

David R. Stone (K)

Answer 3

Korea.
- Says that both Kim Il-Sung and Syngman Rhee were viscerally opposed to one another and each other’s social system.
- Says that Kim’s decision to invade SK had been motivated by the fact that there were considerable left-wing insurgencies in SK.
- Argues that because of the success of Incheon landing, Americans were not listening to China’s warnings and proceeded to push NK to the Yalu river, inherently dragging China into the conflict.

Question 4

Peter Lowe.

Answer 4

Korea. Says that the US bore great responsibility for the war due to ‘unquestionably foolish’ combination of statements and acts.

Question 5

Jong Won Lee.

Answer 5

Korea. Says that the Korean War brought devastating damages to both Koreas, although damages to NK were estimated to be a lot higher than those to SK.

Question 6

Eui Hang Shin.

Answer 6

Korea. Said that the foreign investment contributed to the rapid growth of the 3 white industries in SK.

Question 7

Charles Armstrong

Answer 7

Korea. Argues that Juché was a way for Kim to control people in NK as it guided their thoughts.

Question 8

Samuel Wells.

Answer 8

Korea. Says that when the US sent in better planes to slow down Chinese advances at the Yalu river, Stalin reluctantly provided 12 MiG soviet fighters to defend the Chinese-NK border.

Question 9

Shen Zhi Hua

Answer 9

Korea. Said that the decision to withdraw from the armistice talk was a misjudgment of Chinese authorities, leading to the continuation of the war and more casualties.