Distorted Paradox of the Korean War and its Historical Facts, and Experiencing Them Firsthand

Ahn Chan-il

Research Director of the World Institute for North Korea Studies

As June 25th approaches, it marks the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. The Korean War, a tragedy that began with North Korean invasion of South Korea, was a fight between Koreans. However, in North Korea, the war's name and even basic facts are distorted and taught. Currently, North Korean residents perceive the Korean War as an invasion by the South.

Even during my time as a soldier in North Korea, I was taught that the Korean War occurred due to South Korean invasion of the North.

Since childhood, North Korea has referred to the Korean War as a war in which the United States and South Korea conspired to invade North Korea, calling it the "Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War." Despite ample evidence and public disclosure that the Korean War was initiated by Kim Il-sung with support from Stalin and Mao Zedong, North Korea continues to assert the theory of South Korean Invasion of North, using the tragic event of the Korean War, considered the greatest national tragedy, to maintain its regime. In North Korean documentaries and films depicting the Korean War, they claim, "On June 25, 1950, imperialists from the United States launched a full-scale military invasion on our republic, which had been established just two years prior."

There is a deliberate distortion in the depiction of the "Incheon Landing Operation" during the Korean War, with claims made that General Douglas MacArthur, despite commanding a sizable fleet and a force of 50,000 soldiers, faced defeat at Wolmido.

By implementing anti-American education from a young age, North Korea promotes the narrative of the "South Korean Invasion of North Korea." The U.S. is depicted as a predatory entity targeting innocent people, with the "Sinchon Museum of American War Atrocities" playing a role in amplifying intense anti-American sentiments. Through the spread of propaganda that portrays U.S. soldiers committing horrific acts such as burning children and women alive, decapitation, and unimaginable cruelty, the hostility towards the U.S. among North Korean residents is further fueled. Kim Jong-un also capitalizes on the Korean War to uphold his regime. Following his rise to power, he undertook significant renovations of the "Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum" and orchestrated nationwide events dedicated to Korean War veterans. Furthermore, a play titled "Hydrochloric Acid" was adapted and broadcasted to foster animosity towards American missionaries.

Nevertheless, despite North Korea's persistent distortion of the factual history, the perception of North Korean youth towards the Korean War is gradually shifting due to the exposure to external information, such as South Korean books and videos. The increasing number of residents who no longer believe in North Korea's propaganda about the "South Korean Invasion of North Korea" is attributed to their access to South Korean and American movies on enhanced versatile discs (EVD) and phones with USB memory or SD cards. In particular, the release of the movie "Brotherhood of War" in South Korea in 2004 caused a sensation among North Korean youth when it made its way to Pyongyang in the form of a CD. Witnessing the film's depiction, they were shocked to discover the true origins of the Korean War.

Upon my defection to South Korea, I, too, experienced a profound shock when I discovered that the Korean War was, in fact, initiated by North Korea's invasion of the South under the leadership of Kim Il-sung. Previously, I had been taught that Kim Il-sung was a brilliant leader who successfully repelled invasions from the United States and South Korea, ultimately capturing Seoul, the enemy's capital, within a mere three days. Learning the truth was a complete reversal of what I had believed, leading to a deep sense of disillusionment towards Kim Il-sung and the North Korean regime.

The distortion and propaganda surrounding the Korean War in North Korea continue to this day as a means of maintaining the regime. It is crucial that we increase the flow of information from the outside to enlighten North Korean residents about the true nature of the Korean War. By exposing them to the truth, we can gradually transform their perception.