DIVIDED BY POLITICS AND THE 38TH PARALLEL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP05T02051R000200350034-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 12, 2011
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: June 11, 1988
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/12 CIA-RDP05TO2051 R000200350034-4
Si1ING'ION, POST
NFW YORK TIMES 3
WALL STREET J.
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USA TODAY
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Divided by Politics and the 38th Parallel
When Japan's colonial hold on Korea ended with
its defeat in 1945, United States forces entered the
South and the Soyiet Army took over in the North by
mutual agreement, dividing the country at the 38th
parallel: When discussions on Korea's future broke
down in May INC the division became frozen.
. With no unified national government in sight, the
occupying powers organized civilian regimes in North
and 'South. In the North; a Communist state emerged
under Kim I1 Sung. In the South, the United States set
up an interim legislature and Government, which
quickly became dominated by Dr. Syngman Rhee,
who became President.
The United Nations General Assembly formed a
temporary commission in 1947 to plan for a national
election and a government for all of Korea. The United
States and most South Koreans favored that move but
the Soviet Union and the North's leaders rejected it.
After elections in the South tp May 1948, the Re-
public of Korea was proclaimed in Seoul in August,
ending the American occupation. North Korea held its
own elections and proclaimed the Democratic Peo-
ple's Republic in September, with Pyongyang as its
capital.
On June 25,1950, a strong armored force from the
North crossed the 38th parallel and captured Seoul
four days later. A three-year war ensued, with United
Nations tomes, primarily those of the United States,
backing South Korea. A cease-fire agreement was
signed on July 27, 1953, and a demilitarized zone was
established along the 38th parallel.
By current estimates, the South Korean Army has
520,000 men in uniform, with several million more in
the reserves. The North Korean Army has 750,000
troops on active duty, also backed by large reserves.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/12 : CIA-RDP05TO2051 R000200350034-4