The Korean War lasted from June 1950 to July 1953. It was a battle between North Korea and South Korea, though other countries, notably the United States, also became involved in the fighting. This was the first time the United States actively tried to prevent Communist rule from spreading to different parts of the world.

Background

Japan had ruled Korea since the late 19th century. At the end of World War II (1939–45) Korea became independent from Japan. It was agreed that forces of the Soviet Union would accept the surrender of Japanese troops in Korea north of the 38th degree latitude, while American troops would accept the Japanese surrender south of the latitude. In this way Korea was divided into two. The Soviet Union set up an interim government in the northern half and the United States maintained a military government in the southern half.

A commission was established to make plans for reuniting Korea under a free government. However, the commission could not come to a final decision. In 1947 the United Nations (UN) decided that free elections should be held throughout Korea in 1948 to choose a single government. The Soviet Union refused to cooperate with the UN plans to hold elections, so elections were only held in the south. The southern half of Korea chose a National Assembly and a president, Syngman Rhee. The new democracy was named the Republic of Korea, with its capital at Seoul.

In the north, a Communist state, called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), was established under Soviet guidance. Pyongyang was named North Korea's capital and Kim Il-sung became the country's premier. Late in 1948, Soviet forces began to withdraw from North Korea, leaving behind a Communist state and a well-trained, well-equipped North Korean army. United States forces left South Korea in 1949. However, they left behind an unstable government and a poorly trained army compared to the north. This army also lacked air power, tanks, and artillery.

On June 25, 1950, the North Koreans, with the quiet support of the Soviet Union, began a carefully planned attack southward across the 38th degree latitude. This signaled the beginning of the invasion of South Korea.

Beginning of the war

Within hours after the invasion of South Korea began, the UN Security Council called for an immediate cease-fire and the withdrawal of North Korean forces from South Korea. North Korea ignored the ruling. Two days later the Security Council urged the UN members to assist South Korea in repelling the invasion.

In response, 16 nations sent troops to the aid of South Korea. Great Britain sent a division, and other nations sent fewer units. The U.S. president Harry S. Truman also ordered U.S. forces to come to the aid of South Korea.

Meanwhile the North Korean army drove out the South Korean army and the early American military units in South Korea. These were forced to retreat to Pusan, a small city located at the southeast tip of the Korean Peninsula. Here the American forces prepared for counter attacks. The counterattacks were successful, and by October 1, the remaining North Korean troops retreated to the north of the 38th parallel.

Chinese entry into the war

The Allied armies then crossed over to the north of the 38th parallel. Communist China was against the presence of the UN troops so close to its borders. On November 25, 1950, 180,000 Chinese “volunteers” entered the war. By December 15, after severe fighting, the Allied troops had been driven back south of the 38th parallel.

On December 31, 1950, the Chinese and North Korea began their second invasion of South Korea with about 500,000 troops. However, the attack was soon weakened. By March 31, 1951, the battle line stood roughly along the 38th parallel.

Peace talks

In June 1951, the Soviet Union indicated to the UN that the Communists were prepared to seek a cease-fire. On June 30, the U.S. general Ridgway, who was now commanding the U.S. forces, offered to begin peace talks. North Korea and China accepted. The talks dragged on for two years. Finally on July 27, 1953, the peace agreement was signed. Both sides accepted the front line as the boundary between North and South Korea.

Damages of the war

The Korean War resulted in the deaths of about 1,300,000 South Koreans, 1,000,000 Chinese, 500,000 North Koreans, and about 37,000 Americans, with much smaller numbers of British, Australian, and Turkish deaths on the Allied side. Today U.S. troops remain in South Korea, and heavily armed North Korean and South Korean forces still face each other across a narrow demilitarized zone, which is an area that cannot be used for military purposes.