70 years working together for health : The World Health Organization and the Republic of Korea

Page 20

CHAPTER

1: 1946–1960

1.2 Situation in the Republic of Korea 1.2.1 Liberation and the division at the 38th parallel

The Cold War confrontation between the capitalist and communist camps had a direct impact on the Korean Peninsula. In 1948, the Republic of Korea was founded as a democratic nation with a presidential system in the territory south of

© Chosunilbo

On 15 August 1945, Japan, the last Axis power to hold out in the Second World War, declared unconditional surrender, and the war finally ended, liberating Korea from 36 years of colonization and returning its sovereignty. The dream

for an independent country, however, could not be realized immediately because the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics divided the Korean Peninsula along the 38th parallel, ruling the south and the north, respectively.

QQ Citizens and officials celebrate the founding of the Republic of Korea in 1948, after liberation from Japanese occupation and three years of transitional rule by the United States Army Military Government.

4  70 years working together for health – the World Health Organization and the Republic of Korea


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70 years working together for health : The World Health Organization and the Republic of Korea by Alexander Pascual - Issuu