Korean War – 1950-1953

Korean War – 1950-1953 

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Korea – part of Japan since 1910 August 8, 1945 - Soviet Union declared war against Japan and invaded Korea and Manchuria August 15, 1945 - Japan surrendered and agreed to give up all territories it had acquired since 1894 Allies agreed Korea would become independent country U.S. troops occupied southern part of Korea (up to 38th parallel), Soviet forces occupied the north 1947 – U.N. declared election should be held for Koreans to chose type of government for whole country Soviets refused

Split  South Korea May 8, 1948 – Elections held People of southern part of Korea (U.S. occupied) elected a national assembly  They claimed the entire country and called it the Republic of Korea. Their first leader was Syngman Rhee – he was against communism 

Split 

 North Korea 

Soviets refused to permit elections. Communists, trained by Soviet Union, claimed the entire country  September 9, 1948 – established Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with Kim il Sung as their leader  Despite the name, it was far from “democratic”

Korean War [1950-1953]

Kim Il-Sung

Syngman Rhee

“Domino Theory”

War – June 25, 1950 

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U.S. removed its troops in 1949 70.000 N. Koreans attacked S. Koreans. Within 2 days, they were close to capturing the capital, Seoul U.N. demanded that Communists retreat back to 38th parallel – N. Koreans ignore it U.N. asked its members to aid S. Korea. June 30 – President Truman ordered U.S. air, ground, and naval forces to South Korea under U.N. flag Congress called it a “police action” – did NOT declare war June 30 – N. Korean Army (KPA) captured capital

Enemy mortar round lands directly on a Marine ridgeline position

Millions of Korean refugees were uprooted from their homes and attempted to flee to safety

Armada assembled for Inchon invasion, world’s last great amphibious landing

Inchon landing – September 15, 1950 

 U.S. troops under Gen.

Douglas MacArthur and recapture Seoul  October 1 – S. Korean & U.S. forces invade N. Korea  October 19 – Allied forces capture Pyongyang – North Korea’s capital  Communists retreat farther north

Marines carry a wounded comrade in the assault on Seoul

American air power destroying supply warehouses in N. Korea

China gets involved 

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MacArthur demands N. Koreans surrender, but is rejected U.S. troops moved toward Yula River, chasing N. Koreans Yula River - Border between North Korea and China China warned Allied troops not to advance any closer towards its border MacArthur pressed on, hoping to end the war before winter set in 300,000 Chinese troops attacked in October & November

Retreat 

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Faced against a huge Chinese force, Allies retreat in December December 24 – KPA recaptured their capital and crossed into South Korea January – Communists capture Seoul. Allies dig in. March – KPA & Chinese armies retreat from Seoul; Allies cross into N. Korea again Both sides dig in and fight along battle line north of 38th parallel Truce talks begin but, fighting continued for 2 more years

After Chinese offensive in Nov. 1950, 98,000 N. Koreans evacuate along with U.N. troops

U.N. forces move up behind fleeing Chinese

“See-saw” fighting along 38th parallel

MacArthur fired 

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As the war dragged on, Gen. MacArthur pushed for bombing China and using other “all-out measures” (nuclear bomb) President Truman vetoed this idea because he thought it would lead to another world war MacArthur made public statements disagreeing with the President President Truman removed him from command – April 1951 He appears before Congress – “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away” speech

The Shifting Map of Korea [1950-1953]

Armistice signed – July 27, 1953 

N. Korea leader – Kim Il Sung America – Gen. Mark Clark Chinese commander

Results of Korean War  3 million Koreans

 Lessons learned

died  Millions left homeless  1 million Chinese soldiers died  54,246 American soldiers died

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If America wanted to confront communism, she needed to do it carefully – confrontation with N. Korea quickly got out of hand  Chinese had world’s largest army prepared to die for communism  USSR had supplied Chinese with modern weapons  There were limits to America’s power

Today 

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Last attempt to negotiate reunification of Korea failed in 1991 N. Korea is a totalitarian state with Kim Jong-il (Sung’s son)as its leader Its people suffer from malnutrition It has nuclear weapons U.S. and S. Korea troops still face Communist N. Korea troops posted on the border

Today 

Anti-American propaganda poster 

Today  U.S. Assistant

Secretary of State attending 6 party talks aimed at persuading North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons