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Korea, a Nation Divided Trivia Quiz

This quiz is based upon the excellent article in the July 2003 issue of the "National Geographic". All answers can be found in the article, but no cheating, please!

A multiple-choice quiz by doomed. Estimated time: 7 mins.

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Author
doomed

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
137,655

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
7 / 15

Plays
995

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. How long is the truce line that bisects the Korean peninsula, or in other words the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Hint

148 miles

211 miles

178 miles

267 miles

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Question 2 of 15

2. What was the date of the armistice agreement that ended the three year Korean conflict? Hint

July 12th 1953

July 22nd 1953

July 27th 1953

July 18th 1953

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Question 3 of 15

3. What was the estimated number of soldiers killed by the end of the Korean conflict? Hint

950,000

850,000

900,000

1,000,000

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Question 4 of 15

4. When did the Chinese join the conflict? Hint

October 1950

September 1950

November 1950

December 1950

5. January 25th 1951 saw UN attacks forcing communist troops out of South Korea and past the 38th parallel. General McArthur advocated trying to drive the communists back into China and expanding conflict there, but who stated that containment was better suited to ending the war?

Answer: (Two Words (first and last name only))

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Question 6 of 15

6. What event took place on July 10th 1951 that started a two year long process to peace? Hint

Talk of atomic bombing of Korea by UN

UN advances into North Korea

Truce talks

North Korean supplies of ammo becoming depleted

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Question 7 of 15

7. South Korea never signed the armistice?

True

False

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Question 8 of 15

8. An estimated five million Koreans were killed, wounded or reported missing?

True

False

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Question 9 of 15

9. What was the names of the two men who officially signed the armistice on the UN's and North Korean's behalf? Hint

Lt. Gen James S. Porter & Lt. Gen. Kung Yung

Lt. Gen. William K. Harrison & Lt.Gen. Nam II

Lt. Gen Scott L. Powers & Lt. Gen. Hjung Yip

Lt. Gen Walter C. Webb & Lt.Gen. Pak Ho

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Question 10 of 15

10. Despite the conflict being over for 50 years Koreans are still being killed many trying to cross the border at the DMZ. Approximately how many Koreans have have perished between 1953 and 2002? Hint

1400

3200

2300

5100

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Question 11 of 15

11. Which North Korean leader threatened the United States verbally after Pyongyang reactivated the North Korean nuclear program in 2002?

Answer: (Three Words (third word is Il, il))

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Question 12 of 15

12. Which historic 'gesture' by the North Korean authorities took place on February 5th 2003? Hint

Rubber bullets replaced live ammunition in all rifles

1000 North Koreans were allowed to live in South Korea

A cross border road was opened

An under ground tunnel for spying missions was destroyed

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Question 13 of 15

13. Since 1994 till 2003 experts have estimated that North Korea has lost how many people due to food shortages? Hint

1.2 million

0.3 million

0.8 million

2.5 million

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Question 14 of 15

14. One in five South Koreans live in Seoul the capital city?

True

False

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Question 15 of 15

15. In 2000 South Korean President Kim Dae Jung met with his North Korean equal at an inter- Korean summit. They agreed upon a number of issues which sprang from Dae Jung's policy of engagement with the North, but what was that policy called?

Answer: (One Word)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. How long is the truce line that bisects the Korean peninsula, or in other words the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Answer: 148 miles

The DMZ runs from Ch'ogu in the East to Panmunjom in the West. The Panmunjom section is 'policed' by both North and South Korea and stand no more than 50 metres away from each other.

2. What was the date of the armistice agreement that ended the three year Korean conflict?

Answer: July 27th 1953

After driving the Japanese out of Korea at the end of the Second World War, the Americans and Russians created a division along the 38th parellel. A suprise attack on the South with the blessing of the Soviets came from the North on June 25th 1950 with tanks pushing to impose communist rule.

3. What was the estimated number of soldiers killed by the end of the Korean conflict?

Answer: 900,000

Sources suggest a massive 900,000 soldiers from all sides died in combat in one form or another. The fighting came from the US led forces in South Korea who fought the North Korean forces backed by China. It became a war attrition and had become a standstill when the armistice was declared.

4. When did the Chinese join the conflict?

Answer: October 1950

The unexpected decision of China to enter the war early in October turned the tide of the war. The Northern units, consisting of Sino-Korean troops, sent the UN forces retreating again. On December 6, the Communist forces re-took Pyongyang. And by the end of December, they recrossed the parallel and re-took Seoul.

Answer: Harry Truman

President Truman believed in containment and this angered McArthur, who openly criticised the decision. In April 1951 he was ordered from his command and out of the war.

6. What event took place on July 10th 1951 that started a two year long process to peace?

Answer: Truce talks

Truce talks started but the battles carried on, many battles raged and famous scenes such as Bunker Hill and Bloody Ridge where tens of thousands of troops were killed or wounded took place.

7. South Korea never signed the armistice?

Answer: True

July 27th 1953 saw UN, North Korean and Chinese leaders formally sign the armistice. South Korea has still to this day not signed (July 1st 2003) and fifty years of turmoil are still being felt. Officially, both states were still at war in 2003.

8. An estimated five million Koreans were killed, wounded or reported missing?

Answer: False

The figure, although not certain, is closer to 2.5 million Koreans.

9. What was the names of the two men who officially signed the armistice on the UN's and North Korean's behalf?

Answer: Lt. Gen. William K. Harrison & Lt.Gen. Nam II

US Army Lt. General William K. Harrison and Lt.Gen. Nam II of the North Korean People's Army signed the pact within the confines of the DMZ in Panmunjom. Three tables were set up, with the middle table laid out for South Korean officials to sign. They never showed.

Answer: 1400

The figure, though low, is still a terrifying number. Many have died due to clashes on the border that have threatened to take the conflict to another level.

11. Which North Korean leader threatened the United States verbally after Pyongyang reactivated the North Korean nuclear program in 2002?

Answer: Kim Jong Il

Kim Jong Il decided to threaten the US after it was reported that the North Korean government had begun uranium digs and more research into nuclear capability. He stated that he had fixed targets on the West Coast of America. Naturally the US were not best pleased and started to monitor the North Korean program with extra added interest.

12. Which historic 'gesture' by the North Korean authorities took place on February 5th 2003?

Answer: A cross border road was opened

The first cross border crossing was opened to the South to allow tourists to visit the North's Mount Kumgang resort area.

13. Since 1994 till 2003 experts have estimated that North Korea has lost how many people due to food shortages?

Answer: 2.5 million

A huge 2.5 million North Koreans have starved to death due to their governments strict spending on the military. Sources suggest that the figure could be doubled if the state of affairs does not improve by 2010.

14. One in five South Koreans live in Seoul the capital city?

Answer: True

In stark contrast, the north has had a major decline in population growth since 1953 (down 11%). The South has blossomed and nigh on 50 million inhabitants, 10 million live in the prosperous capital Seoul, which is just 38 miles from the DMZ.

Answer: Sunshine

This policy was endorsed by Kim's successor Roh Moo-hyun. The policy helped to agree economic coopearation, cultural exchanges and cross border visits for families split up by the DMZ.

Source: Author doomed

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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