The Forgotten Soldiers: Unraveling the U.S.-South Korea Relations in Shaping Korean Military Involvement in the Vietnam War
- Post by: Marcelo Pena
- June 2, 2024
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Zhenwei Gao, Stanford University
Abstract
This essay investigates South Korea’s involvement in the Vietnam War, examining its dual motivations of geopolitical dependency on the United States and economic interests. Under President Park Chung-hee, approximately 220,000 soldiers were deployed as part of the U.S.’s More Flags initiative, reflecting South Korea’s role in supporting American anti-communist objectives. The following analysis delves into the brutal actions of these troops and the paradox of South Korea, a former colonized nation, adopting the role of a “colonized colonizer.” Finally, it underscores the complexities of military engagement, identity, and the under-acknowledged legacy of violence against civilians, encapsulating the intricate dynamics of Cold War-era military and diplomatic strategies.