Khuutra -
If it was not for Chinese intervention in the Korean war, Korea would have been a unified, democratic nation celebrating 55+ years of harmony and peace.
Here's a quick rundown of the Korean War:
June 25th, 1950 - North Korea, authorized by China, invades the south and war ensues.
July 5th, 1950 - US/UN forces begin to aid South Korean forces in the region. South Korean forces retreat to the Pusan perimeter
August-September 1950 - Battle of Incheon. Desperate SK and UN/US forces defend the last remaining areas against NK aggression, and eventually cripple NK forces.
October 1st, 1950 - UN commands South Korean and UN forces past the 38th parallel, invading North Korea
October 19th, 1950 - Pyongyang liberated by UN/ROK forces
November 1st, 1950 - PLA forces cross into North Korean territory and begin 'War to Resist America and Aid Korea'. First battles take place deep into North Korean territory.
Major battles when China crosses the Yalu river include Ch'ongch'on River, Choson Reservor, and Kunuri.
By the time China enters the war, the UN had liberated/invaded/whatever 70-80% of modern-day North Korea. When China entered the war, millions died on both sides.
For a look at the front of the war: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Korean_war_1950-1953.gif
In October, 1951, the US enacted Operation Hudson Harbor - equipping our B29s in preparation for nuclear strikes against China. There were plans to use them, ala Japan in WW2, to end the war early, crippling Chinese forces.
I don't know. With everything that resulted from the war - the purges, what NK has done, ect, you wonder if stricter measures may have yielded better results. Of course, the best answer would have been China not getting involved at all, and not backing the NK aggression in the first place, less get in the war at all.
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
