Iraq and South Korea. Are They The Same

Today President George W. Bush made a rather astonishing pronouncement when he tried to equate Iraq's future to the development of South Korea with the signing of the armistice that ended the Korean war. Can one be compared to the other it doesn't seem possible.


Korea became a nation state with the creation of Gojoseon in under the rule of Dangun. Koreans adopted the Chinese writing system which they call Hanja in the the second century BC with Buddhism arriving in the fourth century BC. These two events would have a profound impact on the people and rulers of Korea. When the Silla dynasty began in 676 this would solidify Korea as a single country with a shared language and culture which would not be interrupted until the Japanese annexed the country by the force of arms in 1910 and remain as its colonial ruler until World War II ended.


Modern Iraq is located in what was once known as Mesopotamia and is of course considered and rightfully so as one of the cradles of civilization. The
Sumerian's Are believed to have created the first known civilization and theirs was followed by the Akkadian's, Babylonian's, and Assyrian cultures whose influence reached beyond there area of origin. Because of its location those who ruled this part of the world were always susceptible to invasion. Among those who have ruled here: Islamic Caliphate , the Mongols and the Ottoman Empire. World War I came to an end with the British in control of most of the Middle East. Iraq was created by the British and they were the ones who established Iraq's first formal government. Iraq was never a true modern nation state until its creation. Political power in Iraq centered around these three cities Baghdad, Mosul and Basra.

How are Iraq and South Korea similar? That's a real good question.

Koreans have a single language are homogeneous, have a shared religion and they have a long history as a nation. After the partition of the Korean peninsula following World War the South Koreans began, what would become a long quest towards democratic rule. Yes, there was a military dictatorship which started with a coup my General Park Chung-hee and would last until 1988 when the first real honest and free elections would take place.

Iraq doesn't have a similar history not as it exists today. The country is divided along ethnic lines. With the Kurds holding a majority in the north. The Sunni's holding a majority in the center and the Shiites having a majority in the south. Their religion is not shared nor is their culture at least not as a Korean would see it. Iraq's modern history is that is dominated by the interests of western governments and those nations major oil companies all seeking to control Iraq's natural resources.


George Bush is delusional to believe that one can compare the situation in Korea with that of Iraq.