Unfortunately, it seems like the Korean War is one of America’s least remembered war. While it symbolizes a proxy to the Cold War, much like the Vietnam War, its significance is seemingly less celebrated by Americans than the latter “proxy” war. Personally, I think it’s interesting to know the effects that these “proxy wars” had on the host nation, if you will. The South Koreans apparently lost 25 percent of their population in the affair, and likely much of its infrastructure, architecture and buildings were lost in the conflict. And since the war isn’t technically over, the South Koreans also stand to lose substantially more. However, this seems like the proper place to note that the South Koreans have “bounced back” with gusto.The amount you can do with a cell phone is amazing and South Korea seems to be firing the first shots continually in the “digital revolution.” This all done within miles of an outwardly-agressive communist regime. And with what I like to call the “World is Flat” phenomenon, in the future, if hostilities were to erupt, the world itself also stands to lose a strong – and stable - trading partner.
I think it’s also interesting to note the emblematic and stark economic prosperity that South Korea has benefited from after the end of the Cold War. It is not unlike that of Argentina (despite its economic collapse) or India, which both likely benefited from the end of this passive conflict, even though neither was near a warzone during the Cold War. Unlike Argentina or India, however, South Korea has already made the significant jump into the digital age and also seems to have a substantial industrial sector, which is something that should be mentioned when discussing the modern developing nations. In total, the stability proffered by trade relations and provided by the end of the Cold War was something that likely also benefited South Korea as well.
As a final point, it’s worth noting that South Korea seems to have benefited politically as well during this period, a juxtaposition that likely is more related than not. In 1987, they had what has been called their first Democratic election since 1971, and this ushered in what the modern world knows as South Korea.
On a personal note, one of our housemates has a grandfather who fought in the Korean War and said that only recently has he begun talking about it. In contrast, I’m sure my own grandfather had some salient and charged things to say about the war, being a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, but he despised talking about his time in the armed forces.
Later in the week we will be visiting the Korean War Memorial, so that will provide some nice fodder for future blog posts and I will reserve another day’s post for the influence of North Korea and its own aggressive-styled diplomacy.
Chris Gilfillan
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