The goal of this website is to be a safe for souls website
advancing Catholic thinking and education. When editing, please
adhere to the Content Standards. Some images have been enhanced
for teaching purposes and may not be identical to the original
artwork. An independent kingdom for much of its long history,
Korea was occupied by Japan in 1905 A.D. following the Russo-
Japanese War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the
entire peninsula. Following World War II, Korea was split with
the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist
domination. After failing in the Korean War (1950 A.D.-1953
A.D.) to conquer the US-backed Republic of Korea (ROK) in the
southern portion by force, North Korea (DPRK), under its founder
President Kim Il Sung, adopted a policy of ostensible diplomatic
and economic "self-reliance" as a check against excessive Soviet
or Communist Chinese influence. The DPRK demonized the US as the
ultimate threat to its social system through state-funded
propaganda, and molded politica