Bringing the Marginalized into Conversations about American Raciality - Erin Kane - Keely Gaeta - Emily Norris

MILITARIZED MIGRATIONS BY CRYSTAL MUN-HYE BAIK

When Japan surrendered in World War II, they were forced to end their colonial rule in Korea. Korea was not equipped at that time to have an effective government and as a result, they fell victim to the Cold War. The United States was fearful that the Soviet Union would infiltrate Asian territories so as a preventive action, the U.S. government established a 3 year trusteeship arrangement with the Soviet Union and both countries agreed to separate Korea at the 38th parallel. Roughly following this 38th parallel is the Demilitarized Zone, which is the region of the Korean peninsula that separates North Korea from South Korea. This zone “has become one of the most militarized places in the world. However, division wasn’t only physical. Within South Korean borders, it was used to justify horrific levels of political repression and economic exploitation” (Shim). The DMZ was supposed to be a function to prevent instances of resumption of hostilities but it is something that is riddled with potential tension and conflict. The DMZ prohibits the prosperity of both North and South Korea because it causes Koreans on both sides to live in a state of constant vigilance; the existence of it promotes anxiety and fear.

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