Tobin Harshaw, Columnist

North Korea’s Nukes and the ‘Forgotten War’

Hampton Sides, author of a new book about a turning point in the Korea war, explores the state of the Koreas and Trump’s forthcoming visit.

January 27, 2019 at 3:00 PM UTC

By Tobin Harshaw

Tobin Harshaw is a Bloomberg Opinion senior editor and columnist on national security and military affairs. Previously, he was deputy editor at the op-ed page of the New York Times and the newspaper’s letters editor.

Ready for the sequel?
Photographer: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

This article is for subscribers only.

How many Americans today would have any idea what you were talking about if you mentioned the 38th parallel? How many would stare blankly if you mentioned Syngman Rhee? How many would be able to tell you what this photo depicts?

It is a cliche that the so-called police action in Korea from 1950 to 1952 is America’s “forgotten war.” But, like most cliches, there is a lot of truth to it. American ignorance about the Korean War is a shame, and not only because it devalues the sacrifices of those who fought in it. With North Korea’s nuclear arsenal now threatening the U.S. mainland (not to mention Hawaii, Japan and the folks on the southern end of the peninsula), and President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un set to meet again next month, a little historical perspective might be helpful.