KOREAN WAR

1950 - 1953

Background Information

World War II ended in August 1945

It wasn’t long before the Soviets invaded North Korea; the US supported South Korea

Korea was divided at the 38th Parallel into two governments

The Two Governments

A Communist Korea

Led by Kim Il Sung

A Republic Government

Led by Syngman Rhee

North Korea South Korea

The Allies Views on Communism

US President Harry Truman created the Truman Doctrine

Pledged support to any country in defense of Communism

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill spoke out against Communism

His “Iron Curtain” speech stressed the concern of Soviet control in Eastern Europe

Armed Conflict

Begins with the invasion of South Korea by the North on June 25, 1950

Immediately, the UN condemns North Korea

Two days later, the US pledges air and naval support

For four months, the UN troops made their best efforts to defend South Korea from the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA)

A Shift to Offense

Beginning in September 1950, US and Republic of Korea (ROK) troops begin their goal of recapturing Seoul, the capital of South Korea

In October, Communist Chinese Forces join the NKPA

Fighting continues into 1951 General MacArthur pushes

Truman to use atomic weapons

Ending the War in Korea

Fighting continued through 1952 despite occasional talks of peace

On July 27, 1952: the armistice is signed at 10:00; both sides must retreat to their side of the cease-fire line within two days

The Cost of Korea

Financially, the war cost the US $67 billion Almost 34,000 American lives were lost in

battle, over 20,000 in accidental deaths Over 103,000 were wounded 8,000 were listed as MIAs 3,700 were POWs

North and South Korea have never agreed to a peace, so the DMZ (demilitarized zone) continues to be a patrolled area