Hith 8 things you should know about the korean war ab

Korean War

By dannihopkins

  • Collapse of Japan

    Korea had been controlled by the Japanese Empire but when Japan collapsed, the country was partitioned into two states divided along the 38th parallel. The communist North Korea was established with Soviet support, under the leadership of Kim Il Sung. In South Korea, elections were held+the anti-communist Syngman Rhee emerged as leader. Stalin provided military support to North Korea+the USA gave aid and support to South Korea. Both wanted the restoration of a united Korea under one leader.

  • NK want help from USSR

    Kim Il Sung turned to Stalin for support for a NK assault on SK. Stalin rejected Kim Il Sung’s pleas+suggested he needed to strengthen the guerrilla forces in the south. Stalin did not want to get involved as a war with the USA as it could spread into Europe. Korea was not that important to the USSR but the USA had not included Korea in their ‘Defensive Perimeter Strategy.’ An alliance with a communist Korea would provide economic and military opportunities and put pressure on Japan.

  • Stalin agreed to help NK

    Stalin agreed to provide 1600 pieces of artillery, 178 military aircraft and 258 T-34 tanks. In April 1950 Stalin made it clear that he would not commit Soviet forces if North Korea faced conflict with the USA.

  • NK invade SK

    The North Koreans invaded the South on 25 June 1950. Immediate US action under the auspices of the UN prevented a rapid North Korean victory. The UN force was led by US General Douglas MacArthur.

  • Korean War - Phase One (June 1950-Sept 1950)

    • Forces of the Democratic People’s Republic advance into South Korea and reach a perimeter point close to Pusan in the south east of the Korean peninsula
    • Chinese troops were massed in Manchuria in readiness for a move into Korea
    • Through the UN, 29 states committed to military, economic or medical aid

  • Korean War - Phase Two (Sept 1950-Nov 1950)

    • MacArthur organised a successful surprise seaborne landing at Incheon and succeeded in forcing North Korean troops back across the 38th parallel
    • UN forces managed to march deep into North Korean territory towards the Chinese border
    • In October, Mao sent 300 000 troops across the border into North Korea
    • This led to a major counter attack against the UN forces

  • Korean War - Phase Three (Dec 1950-June 1951)

    • By January Chinese forces had pushed the UN back across the 38th parallel and captured Seoul
    • In February the UN condemned Chia as the aggressor
    • Due to his demands to push into China and use nuclear weapons, MacArthur is dismissed. Truman feared an extension to the war / USSR involvement
    • By June 1951, the USA was indicating its willingness to China and the USSR of a negotiated ceasefire

  • Korean War - Phase Four (June 1951-July 1953)

    • Neither side mounted any significant military offensives during this period
    • A natural disinclination to cooperate with each other led to long delays in reaching a final settlement

  • Panmunjom Armistice Agreement

    -There was to be a military demarcation line with a demilitarised zone of two kilometres on each side. The line was roughly that of the 38th parallel
    - All military forces should withdraw to their respective territories
    - The repatriation of prisoners would begin