At that time → seemed unlikely → that Korea → would play significant role → in development of cold war.
To begin with → Americans → decided → that Korea lay outside their ‘defensive perimeter’ → in asia pacific.
- this defensive perimeter → was security policy → announced by US secretory of state → Dean Acheson → Jan 1950
In speech → Acheson → emphasised → importance of Japan and Philippines → to US. Japan was still under occupation and rehabilitation of Allies after WWI, while Philippines was its former colony. as a result → he made clear commitment → that US military forces → would protect these areas. Korean peninsula → noticeably absent from Acheson’s speech.
Prior to 1949 → Stalin was reluctant → to support Kim → in conquering South Korea → as he did not want to risk direct military confrontation with US. Eventual exit → of both US and USSR → indicated → that the superpowers → had no intention to be heavily involved in matters in Korea.