SUMMARY

[Note to reader: this Country page primarily contains brief information about state-based violence during the period 1946–1974, and to some extent 1975–1988. For more detailed information on organized violence after 1989, please consult the specific Conflict and Dyad pages available on the left-hand side of this page. These pages contain more detailed information regarding all three categories of organized violence in this country from 1989 and onwards (when applicable), as well as detailed information about state-based violence 1975–1988. The left-hand side menu also contains links to Actor pages for all groups involved in organized violence since 1989 in this country, as well as actors involved in state-based violence 1975–1988.]

In the 19th century the Japanese Empire took control over Korea that had been an independent unified country for centuries. Upon Japan’s defeat in the Second World War, the rule over the Korean peninsula was divided between the Soviet Union and the United States of America. As the two victorious powers disagreed over how a reunified Korea should be ruled, elections were only held in the USA-controlled southern zone under the auspices of the United Nations. In 1948, the foundation of the independent Republic of Korea was proclaimed in the South. Meanwhile, in the northern zone occupied by the Soviet Union, a Korean communist government was set up and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was inaugurated.

Fighting between the South Korean government, leftist insurgents and a military faction shattered the newly-established country from 1948 to 1950. Violence spread throughout South Korea as leftist insurgents opposed the creation of an independent South Korean state. When the elected right-wing government of South Korea under Syngman Rhee ordered the army to forcefully suppress the swelling rebellion with the support of US-troops, some factions of the Korean military refused to obey orders and turned against the government.

At the same time, tensions with North Korea increased. Both governments on the Korean peninsula insisted to be the only rightful government. Sporadic border clashes with the North Korean People’s Army expanded into a devastating conflict when the North Korean Army invaded South Korea in 1950. During the conflict South Korea was backed by a UN alliance with the USA at the forefront, while North Korea was militarily supported by the Soviet Union and China. The conflict ended in 1953 with an armistice, the restoration of the pre-war border along the 38th parallel and the establishment of a demilitarized zone between the two countries.

South Korea supported South Vietnam in a conflict with North Vietnam from 1965 to 1975. It also backed the government of Iraq in the intrastate conflict that started 2004.

Since 1946, South Korea has experienced the interstate category of UCDP organized violence.