Keywords
Stalin, Kim IL Sung, Korean War, Soviet Civil Administration, Korea
Abstract
Despite initially denying Kim IL Sung’s requests for a military reunification in 1949, Josef Stalin decided to support an invasion of South Korea in 1950. This paper explores the origins of the Korean War and the roles of both the Soviet Civil Administration and Kim IL Sung in convincing Stalin that the invasion was necessary, and that it would be neither prolonged, nor involve American interference. Throughout the initial occupation of North Korea, Stalin preferred to maintain the status quo on the peninsula, as he was open to, but deeply suspicious of plans for reunification and restrained Kim’s ambitions. However, both the SCA and Kim manipulated Stalin and played off both his fears of a southern led invasion, and potentially losing a communist ally to China. By 1949 Stalin had already been convinced by them of the necessity for a military reunification and cautiously approved Kim’s plans.
Primary Advisor
Dr. Robert Nelson
Program Reader
Dr. Adam Pole
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
History
Document Type
Major Research Paper
Convocation Year
2019