Until 1950, Stalin restrained Kim Il Sung from invading South Korea.
The USSR feared that this would provoke an armed response from the United States.
“But before that, in 1948, the United States had gotten out of China and actually given it to Mao.”
Even Mao Zedong feared that the Americans would cover wealthy southern cities (without which he would be doomed to defeat) with their fleet and aviation and would themselves get involved in the war.
And so he cautiously dealt with the remnants of the Kuomintang in the South until 1949.
The Americans also sent him signals that they were ready to recognize the communist regime.
And even publicly denounced their former ally Chiang Kai-shek to curry favor with Mao Zedong.
“1948 set the stage for 1950.”
The US showed Stalin and Mao that they were weak.
And so Stalin finally allowed Kim Il-sung to invade South Korea.
In the end, the US did save Seoul, but at the cost of burying 40,000 Americans.
Although by 1950 they could have paid with money and advisors or with a limited contingent to demonstrate their readiness to engage in conflict.
Just three questions:
Which country in Europe will become South Korea after Ukraine falls?
How many soldiers will the United States lose in a place where it can get by with weapons, money, and instructors?
Why is it believed that only Ukrainians dance on the rake?
About the author: Oleh Manchura, journalist.
The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.