alternatehistory.com

(note: originally wrote "PODs for Korean history", but thought both PODs can have implications beyond Korea and can be better for discussion as Asian history.)
  • POD 1: WI Lee Bong-chang killed Emperor Hirohito
Lee Bong-chang was a Korean who, while young, was adopted to a Japanese family. After joining the Korean Patriotic Legion in 1931 he volunteered to sacrifice his life for the death of the Japanese emperor. OTL he failed by missing the carriage(not misidentified). What if he succeeds TTL?

Hypothetical scenario: His success most likely results, first, in Prince Chichibu becoming the new Emperor. This probably also means a quicker radicalisation of Japanese politics. Furthermore Korea and Koreans will be treated much, much harsher than OTL - it is even possible to imagine that another Nanking will occur on the peninsula, possibly even systematic genocide. Long term-wise most likely results in slower economic growth(if Koreans are heavily persecuted) and slower Chinese invasion.
  • POD 2: WI South Korean self-coup of 1991
Korean link
Since the 1980s, the Security Central Command of the South Korean Army was the nucleus of the dictatorships' power within the military. After a parliamentary inquiry in 1988 much documentation of systematic espionage against the opposition party and democratic fighters were revealed, and the SCC was heavily reprimanded for its actions. The SCC only became more secretive however after. On October 1990 private first class Yoon Seok-yang deserted his position and ran away after acquiring documentation of continued espionage by the SCC, particularly heads of the church, labour unions, and opposition parties - more than 1,300 in all - for preparation of a certain "Operation Chungmyong". Data documented included which rooms within the residence were most used and when they are used throughout the day. OTL the information was leaked because of one private. What if it was never revealed?

Hypothetical scenario: The name Chungmyong implies the operation was to occur at late spring, around April(5th of the 24 seasons in the lunar calendar). The operation most likely freezes the National Assembly(or arrests all its Opposition members), closes universities and high schools, and brings Roh to maximum executive, legislative and judicial power. There will be massive protests in the streets and, likely, high casualties. South Korean politics drops to Thailand levels. What effects this will have on North Korea's internal politics is unknown, but it seems likely Pyongyang will also conduct a purge on its own just to make sure. The junta government most likely lasts 5 years maximum before being forced to turn things over back to the legislature. The US may consider forcing the junta government to back down from the 70s-style dictatorship.

Comments and questions welcome.
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