1.8 - The Best of Enemies

Two Koreas became independent in 1948 and immediately began trying to get rid of the other. Update, 4/2021: Listener Brian S. informed me of the official ruble-dollar exchange rate for 1949 as provided by the Central Bank of Russia. At $.1887 rubles-per-dollar (or 5.3 dollars-per-ruble), the 212 million ruble loan the Soviets extended to the DPRK is equal to approximately US$40 million in 1949, or approximately US$432 million adjusted to 2021 value. Thank you, Brian!