tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198097760555547640.post2115324141194584499..comments2023-04-27T09:03:56.582+01:00Comments on The Slow Way Home: 76. Boat to BusanJulian Bloomerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663221103785019716noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198097760555547640.post-23595157029043379822011-09-27T10:17:11.052+01:002011-09-27T10:17:11.052+01:00Hi Julian,
Interested in your introduction to Sout...Hi Julian,<br />Interested in your introduction to South Korea. I read part of a History book on Theodore Roosevelt's diplomacy. It was the Russian Japanese war (1904-5) that effectively decided Korea's fate. The Koreans had decided to fight for their independence from China. There were viable leaders and an independent Korea could have easily succeeded. <br />What use would an independent Korea have been to Roosevelt's relationship with Japan and his high opinion of himself as Diplomat? It was handed over to Japan as part of the peace treaty and the entreaty of Korea's leaders were ignored. Roosevelt regarded the Japanese as superior Asians and the Chinese, Filipinos and Koreans were regarded as inferior Asians.<br />Japan had all the appurtenances of a modern state having gone for modernisation of its infrastructure after the accession of the Mejii Emperors in 1867. Their political culture was wedded to another era still.<br />In 1945, Roosevelt and Truman, unsure if the nuclear bomb would work, wanted the U.S.S.r in the war. I haven't studied the Diplomatic History of this period, but will read more. Maybe the division of Korea was the price Stalin exacted. I'm not sure. Would be interested to know what Koreans think. There are plenty of North Korean refugees in the south I believe. They escape via China.<br />All the best, hope Ellie is healing nicely.<br />RolandRoland Evansnoreply@blogger.com