The Korean War

For centuries, Korea is a unified kingdom. But in 1910 Korea is occupied by Japan until the end of World War II when Japan loses the war. Following World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union emerge as superpowers, competing for control and influence around the world. The US and the Soviets divide Korea into two zones of occupation. Drawing a temporary line through the Korean peninsula along the 38th parallel.

The Soviet Union administering the north, and the United States the south. But, tensions grow! The superpowers clash with opposing worldviews — Communism versus Capitalism. In 1947 president Harry Truman gives a speech saying that the U.S. will help any country that is threatened by communism.

The speech is called the Truman Doctrine. 1948, in North Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is established under the communist leadership of Kim Il-Sung. Supported by Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union. In the south, the Republic of Korea is created under the leadership of Syngman Rhee, who is installed by the U.S. In 1949, the Soviets detonate their first atomic bomb, now equalling US military might.

Soon after, China proclaims itself a communist country — The People's Republic of China. The US and UN are concerned. 1950, The North Korean Army, desires a unified communist Korea. Encouraged and equipped by the Soviet Union and China, they cross the 38th Parallel on June 25th. South Korea is invaded.

The South Korean Army becomes overwhelmed. North Korea overtakes the capital — Seoul, pushing south. Retreating, President Syngman Rhee worries that the South Koreans will join the communists. He orders the execution of over 100,000 civilians, prisoners, communists, and their families. President Harry Truman commits troops to Korea.

But, as members of the United Nations Command, a multinational military force, with no formal declaration of war. It’s called a police action. In July, UN forces first fight the North Koreans in Osan. Surprisingly, they find the North Korean army better trained and better supplied than they thought. The UN forces join the South Korean army in retreat to the far south.

They are weakened by heavy losses and cornered in the Pusan region. Until… … General Douglas MacArthur leads a surprise amphibious assault on the city of Inchon. Taking Seoul back. Now, UN forces push north into Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. Encouraged by the Soviets, China now joins the war with North Korea.

General MacArthur orders the UN forces to the Yalu River, the border between North Korea and northeast China. Unaware that 180,000 Chinese soldiers await. The Chinese win several victories, pushing the UN and South Korean troops back across the 38th parallel. February 1951, with neither side gaining ground, peace talks begin. The war drags on with no agreements.

Frustrated, General MacArthur wants to bomb China. Truman believes bombing China will lead to World War III. MacArthur publicly disagrees with President Truman about the war. MacArthur is fired. September 1951; UN forces attack North Korean and Chinese troops in a part of South Korea known as the Punchbowl.

After a month-long battle, over 25,000 Chinese and North Korean soldiers die. For the remainder of the war, the UN, North Korea, and China fight but exchange little territory, a stalemate. Large-scale US bombing of North Korea continues. November 1952, General Dwight Eisenhower becomes the President of the United States, saying he will end the war. 1953, Stalin dies; along with him dies Soviet support for North Korea.

July 27, North Korea and South Korea sign an agreement to stop fighting. Korea remains divided, but the two countries agree to create a neutral zone called the Demilitarized Zone to separate the countries.