The DPRK leader Kim Jong-un is the third generation from the same family to hold supreme power in the DPRK since its establishment; he leads a state that hovers on the brink of instability, but this is also a state that has a proven nuclear weapons and delivery systems capability, as well as other Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Beyond the DPRK threat, ROK security strategists must also keep a wary eye on China, the primary backer of the DPRK. Increasingly though China is being seen as a more overt and direct strategic threat in its own right, as it seeks to dominate the strategic environment in North Asia. Even though it exists in a complex strategic environment, the ROK is an economic success story, according to World Bank figures. In terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the ROK is the 10th largest economy in the world. Major Korean corporates, Samsung and Hyundai are two examples, have become global brands, in terms of culture Korean popular music, television and film have become global phenomena. It was not always like this though, the ROK was once an immensely poor country and its recovery from the devastation caused by war, dictatorial rule and political and economic traumas is an extraordinary story. To understand the evolution of the ROK Army and the ROK defence industry, it is necessary to go back 1945 and the surrender of Imperial Japan. Korea had been a colony of Japan from 1910 to 1945, on the Japanese surrender Korea was divided into two along the 38th parallel, north of the parallel was the Soviet occupation zone and south of the parallel was the US occupation zone. Originally there had been no intention to divide the Korean peninsula, but growing distrust between the western allies and the Soviet Union, effectively led to a divided Korea. The ROK was proclaimed on 15 August 1948, with Syngman Rhee as its leader, while 9 September 1948 saw the foundation of the DPRK with Kim Ⅱ-sung as its leader. Russian occupation troops started leaving in 1948, with US units withdrawing from the South in 1949.
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