The Korean War
The Korean War was a conflict between and the capitalist Republic of Korea which was the south and the communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea which was the north. It took place during June 1950 till July 1953.
Causes:
After World War II the former Japanese controlled land of Korea was divided along the 38th parallel for administrative purposes between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The country was suppose to be reunited but the Soviet Union did not let that happen. Soviets refused to allow free elections to be held in the northern portion. This caused them to have their own elections to create the Supreme People’s Assembly under the leadership of Kim Il-Sung. This effectively established two states in Korea, the UN-supported Republic of Korea (ROK) in the south, and the Soviet-supported Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DRK) in the north.
United States Enters the War:
President Harry Truman then issued commands to the US Far East Command (FECOM) to rush supplies and ammunition to the ROK to prevent it from being completely overrun after its hasty and disorganized retreat. Because on the morning of June 25, 1950 the North Korean Army attacked across the 38th parallel and the Seoul fell quickly.
Even though the US was not prepared to fight in the war, President Truman quickly responded by sending the Navy’s Seventh Fleet to assist with defense of the Far East and the ROK. However, he was faced the dilemma of reacting to secure the safety of the ROK and halt communist aggression. It prevented a war with the newly formed People’s Republic of China(PRC). Because of this, he wanted to protect the Republic of China in Taiwan, and used a large portion of the Seventh Fleet to protect Taiwan, thinking Korea was a diversion for the Chinese to take Taiwan.
On September 15, 1950, General MacArthur ordered a sea-landing at Inchon, risking everything in the hope that he would take the PRK by surprise. By the end of the month, The UN forces had retaken Seoul and pushed the NKPA back past the 38th parallel.
This was accomplished in several months, so by the middle of March in 1951, UN forces had regained Seoul and the 38th parallel. The next several months of the war were static, numerous Communist attacks were deflected. General MacArthur was stripped from his position because of his insubordination and letters he wrote to congress.
Two years later in the Korean War, peace talks stumbled along. Eventually, however, an armistice was signed, despite numerous attempts to sabotage the peace talks by South Korean president Syngman Rhee. The armistice established the demarcation line along the 38th parallel, and a demilitarized zone around it, as well as allowing POWs to choose which side they would like to be repatriated to.
End of the Korean War:
The Korean War resulted in a large loss of life for both the North and South, who lost at least a million civilian lives each. The South has grown to become a major economic power, while the North is considered a dangerous rogue country, and has developed nuclear weapons. Despite this, the Korean War is considered a success, as it accomplished its goals of containing communism.
Causes:
After World War II the former Japanese controlled land of Korea was divided along the 38th parallel for administrative purposes between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The country was suppose to be reunited but the Soviet Union did not let that happen. Soviets refused to allow free elections to be held in the northern portion. This caused them to have their own elections to create the Supreme People’s Assembly under the leadership of Kim Il-Sung. This effectively established two states in Korea, the UN-supported Republic of Korea (ROK) in the south, and the Soviet-supported Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DRK) in the north.
United States Enters the War:
President Harry Truman then issued commands to the US Far East Command (FECOM) to rush supplies and ammunition to the ROK to prevent it from being completely overrun after its hasty and disorganized retreat. Because on the morning of June 25, 1950 the North Korean Army attacked across the 38th parallel and the Seoul fell quickly.
Even though the US was not prepared to fight in the war, President Truman quickly responded by sending the Navy’s Seventh Fleet to assist with defense of the Far East and the ROK. However, he was faced the dilemma of reacting to secure the safety of the ROK and halt communist aggression. It prevented a war with the newly formed People’s Republic of China(PRC). Because of this, he wanted to protect the Republic of China in Taiwan, and used a large portion of the Seventh Fleet to protect Taiwan, thinking Korea was a diversion for the Chinese to take Taiwan.
On September 15, 1950, General MacArthur ordered a sea-landing at Inchon, risking everything in the hope that he would take the PRK by surprise. By the end of the month, The UN forces had retaken Seoul and pushed the NKPA back past the 38th parallel.
This was accomplished in several months, so by the middle of March in 1951, UN forces had regained Seoul and the 38th parallel. The next several months of the war were static, numerous Communist attacks were deflected. General MacArthur was stripped from his position because of his insubordination and letters he wrote to congress.
Two years later in the Korean War, peace talks stumbled along. Eventually, however, an armistice was signed, despite numerous attempts to sabotage the peace talks by South Korean president Syngman Rhee. The armistice established the demarcation line along the 38th parallel, and a demilitarized zone around it, as well as allowing POWs to choose which side they would like to be repatriated to.
End of the Korean War:
The Korean War resulted in a large loss of life for both the North and South, who lost at least a million civilian lives each. The South has grown to become a major economic power, while the North is considered a dangerous rogue country, and has developed nuclear weapons. Despite this, the Korean War is considered a success, as it accomplished its goals of containing communism.