Kim wanted to rule all of Korea; Soviet and Chinese backing, and doubts about US support for the South, made him think a quick win was possible.
In 1949, Mao Zedong's communists won control of mainland China. North Korea now had a large communist neighbour. Korean soldiers who had fought in China came home with battle experience. In February 1950, China and the USSR signed an alliance. It made the communist powers look united, although each leader had his own interests.
Kim asked Soviet leader Joseph Stalin many times to back an invasion. Stalin feared war with the USA. But in 1950, he agreed, as long as Mao also agreed. Soviet weapons helped the North prepare.
Most US troops had left South Korea. US leaders had not clearly promised to defend it. So Kim and his backers hoped to win fast before the USA stepped in. This was a gamble, and it failed.
- 1949
- Communists win in China.
- Stalin's condition
- Kim must also get Mao's agreement.
- The gamble
- A quick win before the USA could respond.
Worked example: Aims, support and a risky bet
Explain Soviet influence without treating Kim as having no aims of his own.
- Kim's aim: unite Korea under his rule.
- Support: Stalin's approval, Soviet weapons and Mao's agreement.
- Bet: the USA would not intervene. When it did, the gamble failed.
Watch out for this
The invasion was simply Stalin's plan, and Kim had no aims of his own.
Kim pushed for the invasion to unite Korea. Stalin and Mao gave the backing he needed.
Check your understanding
Why did Kim expect a quick victory?
- The USA had promised to stay out of Korea.
- He had Soviet backing and doubted the USA would defend the South.
- South Korea had invaded first.