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Korea has returned to the world stage as a crucial geopolitical nexus
in the coming decade. It will affect in important ways the future of
China, Japan, the United States, and perhaps Russia as well. Yet,
paradoxically, its future depends primarily on itself.
Korea is one of that rare breed – a country with a very long history
as a political and cultural entity, with varying degrees of unity as a
single kingdom. In modern times, it was an independent state until Japan
first made it a protectorate in 1905 and then annexed it in 1910.
Japan’s defeat in the Second World War ended her rule in Korea. In the
very last days of the war, American and Russian troops entered Korea,
meeting at the 38th Parallel. Two states came into existence, the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, or North Korea) and the
Republic of Korea (ROK, or South Korea).
