1. The U.S. and Russia were enemies. Don’t pretend that they conspired to collectively screw Korea over. The U.S. did what it could with a bad situation.

2. ‘Tis better to split families with most living in freedom and prosperity than 100% of families suffering and dying under a dictatorship.

3. The U.S. military will leave anytime the ROK wants it to. However, the ROK government is not stupid enough to turn down free military support, with the DPRK, Japan, and China at its doorstep. Also, good luck hanging on to North Korean land when the U.S. leaves : China is ready to move in and there’s not a damn thing the ROK will be able to do about it in 5 years.

The U.S. helped to make the best of a horrible situation. Don’t blame the U.S.. Blame Russia and the NK dictators.

It amazes me that the country which has given so much (50,000+ lives, tens of billions of dollars in aid) and has allowed more than half of Korea to flourish under a democracy rather than a dictatorship can be so hated by people like you.

Grow up and take responsibility for Korea rather than blame its #1 ally.

Disrespectful, irresponsible, and whining behavior like yours will only end up with Korea being permanently reduced by half with China annexing the rest.

You, sir, are a fool.

Happy National Division Korea, from a smug american.

Happy liberation day, Korea. Would it be that those who sacrificed their lives to make its liberation possible be remembered—and their memories honoured—for all time.

Happy liberation day, Korea. Would it be that those who sacrificed their lives to make its liberation possible be remembered&nmdash;and their memories honoured—for all time.

Your answer finally stimulated me to look up a definition of “Rose of Sharon”, 40 years or so since first encountering it (as a person’s name in Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath). I knew it had to be a blblical reference of course.

Turns out it’s ambiguous as to exactly which flower the Bible referred to; there are 4 different candidates:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_of_Sharon

Also:

“…Today, the name is also commonly applied to two different plants, neither of which is likely to have been the plant from the Bible:

[1] Hypericum calycinum, an evergreen flowering shrub native to southeast Europe and southwest Asia, and the plant generally referred to in British and Australian English as “Rose of Sharon”; and

[2] Hibiscus syriacus, a deciduous flowering shrub native to east Asia, the plant generally referred to in American English as “Rose of Sharon” and the national flower of South Korea. The flower’s name in Korean is mugunghwa…”

finally negotiated on the deck of the USS Missouri Sept. 2nd 1945

What kind? A particular type as a specific national symbol or just a generic flower?