There Was a Genocide in Korea and Nobody Cares.

Summary

The video delves into the often-overlooked Korean War, exposing uncomfortable truths about its devastating impact, including widespread civilian massacres. It reveals the brutal execution of thousands of civilians, often blamed on communists, and highlights the role of the U.S. in suppressing these atrocities. The narrative challenges the mainstream perception of the war, questioning who really fired the first shots and how both North and South Korea were subjected to immense destruction. The video sheds light on the deliberate effort to erase this dark chapter from history, offering a sobering reflection on the lasting effects of the conflict.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Korean War, often called the Forgotten War, resulted in over 3 million civilian casualties between 1950 and 1953, one of the highest tolls since World War II.
• 😀 Despite the massive casualties, the war is often overlooked in history, likely due to the lack of a coherent victory for the U.S. and limited media reporting on civilian suffering.
• 😀 North and South Korea both suffered extensive bombings, with the U.S. dropping four times the tonnage of bombs on Korea compared to Japan during World War II, including the atomic bombs.
• 😀 The Korean War's historical neglect can also be attributed to political reasons, as it contradicts justifications for U.S. military actions in Korea and North Korea’s nuclear development.
• 😀 The Korean War was not just about North and South Korea’s conflict; there were already significant incursions and battles prior to the 1950 invasion.
• 😀 The United States' involvement in Korea included support for the repressive regime of Syngman Rhee, which led to the imprisonment and massacre of tens of thousands of suspected leftists and political dissidents.
• 😀 The Bodo League, a system used to track and control suspected leftists, led to the imprisonment and execution of over 30,000 individuals, many of whom were not politically active but poor or non-ideological.
• 😀 In incidents such as the 1950 Dejon massacre, up to 7,000 prisoners were executed by South Korean forces under U.S. supervision, and photos of the atrocities were hidden for decades.
• 😀 The U.S. was complicit in many of these massacres, either directly participating or supporting the actions, while framing the victims as communist threats to justify their actions.
• 😀 The South Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established in 2005, uncovered many of these mass graves and atrocities, revealing that up to 100,000 individuals may have been killed in political purges in 1950 alone.
• 😀 Massacres continued to occur with U.S. involvement, as evidenced by the No Gun Ri massacre, where U.S. troops were directed to shoot at refugees without distinguishing between combatants and civilians.

Q & A

What is the significance of the mass graves mentioned in the transcript?

The mass graves highlight the atrocities committed during and after the Korean War, where thousands of civilians, often accused of being leftists or socialist sympathizers, were executed by South Korean forces. These graves serve as a grim reminder of the war’s violent and politically charged aftermath.

Why is the Korean War referred to as the 'Forgotten War'?

The Korean War is often called the 'Forgotten War' due to the lack of attention and recognition it has received, especially in Western media. Despite the high civilian casualties and intense destruction, the war is overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War, which were more widely covered and remembered.

How did the U.S. government contribute to the suppression of the Korean War's atrocities?

The U.S. government, while present during many massacres, played a role in covering up the atrocities by minimizing their reporting. This suppression was linked to the broader U.S. policy towards Korea and the desire to maintain North Korea as an adversary for geopolitical reasons.

What was the role of the Bodo League during the Korean War?

The Bodo League was a program established by South Korean authorities to track and control left-wing individuals, many of whom were falsely labeled as Communists. This program led to the massacre of tens of thousands of non-political civilians who were labeled as leftists simply due to their poverty or social status.

Why were American forces present during the massacres in South Korea?

American forces were present during these massacres, often supervising or tacitly supporting the actions of South Korean troops. Their presence and involvement in these events were concealed, with the U.S. government framing the killings as necessary to combat Communism.

What is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Korea?

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established in 2005, was created to investigate and reveal the hidden atrocities of the Korean War, including massacres committed by both South Korean forces and U.S. military personnel. The commission aimed to uncover the truth and promote healing for the victims and their families.

How many civilians were estimated to have been killed during the summer of 1950 in South Korea?

Estimates suggest that at least 100,000 civilians were killed during the summer of 1950, with some historians arguing that the true number could be as high as 200,000 or more, based on the extensive membership of the Bodo League and the scale of the massacres.

Why is the notion that South Korea may have invaded North Korea prior to June 25, 1950 controversial?

The claim that South Korea may have invaded North Korea before June 25, 1950 is controversial because it challenges the widely accepted narrative that North Korea initiated the conflict. The evidence for this invasion is limited, but historical records, including military reports, suggest that there were frequent skirmishes and incursions from both sides before the official start of the war.

What was the purpose of the U.S. film 'The Crime of Korea'?

The film 'The Crime of Korea,' narrated by Humphrey Bogart, was produced by the Pentagon to support the U.S. government's narrative that the Korean War was a fight against Communism and to justify the actions of U.S. and South Korean forces. It depicted the atrocities committed by North Korean forces while downplaying or ignoring the crimes committed by the U.S. and South Korean forces.

What is the broader implication of the narrative surrounding the Korean War for U.S. foreign policy?

The narrative of the Korean War, which has often been simplified or distorted, has had lasting implications for U.S. foreign policy, particularly in its approach to North Korea. By framing North Korea as an enemy and justifying its nuclear program, the U.S. maintains a stance that supports military actions and policies aimed at containing the North, despite the historical complexities surrounding the war.