The Struggle for Korea: Rival Visions from Japanese Rule to the Korean War

This two-part lecture will explore Korea's turbulent path from Japanese colonial rule (1910–1945) to the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. It will examine how decades of occupation shaped competing visions for Korea's future, focusing on the revolutionary Marxist movement that culminated in the leadership of Kim Il Sung in the North and the nationalist, anti-communist vision championed by Syngman Rhee in the South.

By tracing the political, ideological and international forces that transformed liberation into division, these lectures will explain how rival Korean leaders and Cold War tensions culminated in the creation of two separate states and one of the 20th century's most consequential conflicts.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Register

Register by Friday before each lecture at 3pm