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The Korean War, 1950-53

The Korean War, 1950-53. Background to the Korean War. Korea borders China to the N and is close to Japan in the SE. Japan had controlled Korea since 1910. End of WWII, divided Korea at the 38 th parallel (Russia controlled the N and U.S. the S).

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The Korean War, 1950-53

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  1. The Korean War, 1950-53

  2. Background to the Korean War • Korea borders China to the N and is close to Japan in the SE. • Japan had controlled Korea since 1910. • End of WWII, divided Korea at the 38th parallel (Russia controlled the N and U.S. the S). • 1947 – the U.S. handed the administration of S. Korea over to the UN.

  3. Background Cont… • Soviets wanted both sides to withdraw and let Korea sort it out, but U.S. was concerned about the build-up of Soviet forces in the N. • UN created the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea (UNTCOK) to oversee the withdrawal of occupation forces and to supervise elections that would reunify Korea. • N. Korea denied the UNTCOK entry.

  4. Background Cont… • 1948 – UN supervised elections were held in the S and Syngman Rhee was elected president. • In N. Korea power was held by Soviet-backed leader Kim II Sung, who refused to hold elections. • After the elections, both the Soviets and US forces withdrew from the peninsula.

  5. Background Cont… • Soviets had equipped the N. Korean army with heavy artillery, tanks, and armored vehicles. • U.S. had left the S with very limited military resources. • Both sides claimed to be Korea’s legitimate government. • N. Korean armed incursions into the South became common. UNTCOK warned of possible civil war.

  6. Background Cont… • Kim had appealed to both Mao and Stalin to assist in reunifying Korea. • Stalin agrees when the US does not mention Korea in their sphere of defense in the “Pacific Perimeter.” • N. Koreans crossed the boarder at 4am on June 25, 1950 and overwhelmed the S. Korean military forces. • Beginning of the Korean War

  7. Background Cont… • Truman requested that the UN Security Council condemn the invasion and give the US command of the UN military response. • The Council passed a resolution that the invasion constituted a “breach of the peace.” • Truman appointed General MacArthur as commander of the UN forces, and 15 other UN nations pledged support.

  8. Truman – Limited War • LIMITED WAR: A conflict in which the weapons used, the nations or territories involved, or the objectives pursued are restricted in some way (avoiding, in particular, the use of nuclear weapons).

  9. Reasons for Limited War • To keep the Soviets out and avoid direct confrontation. • Worried that Korea might be a diversion and the real test would come in Europe. • Public Opinion – The US had sacrificed much during WWII and it was unlikely they would support another major conflict. • He asked Congress to declare the Korean conflict a “police action.”

  10. Military Developments • Stage 1: Invasion and Inchon • Seoul had been captured. • US troops arrive from Japan (too light). • US Air power was able to slow the invasion. • MacArthur landed 2 divisions at Inchon and was able to push the N. Koreans back across the 38th parallel.

  11. Military Developments • Stage 2: Chinese Intervention • US captured N Korea’s capital Pyongyang. • MacArthur had downplayed the threat the Chinese posed. • Yalu River – 300,000 Chinese troops attack and push UN forces back across the border and recaptured Seoul. • Korean War - Part 8

  12. Military Developments • Stage 3: Stalemate and Panmunjom • Truman wants peace / MacArthur wants escalation. Clear insubordination. • MacArthur is fired and replaced. • Two more years of fighting – Eisenhower is elected president. • Cease-fire is signed on July 27, 1953 and a demilitarized zone is established at the 38th parallel. Korean War - Part 9

  13. Outcomes of this Limited War • 2.5 Korean civilians dead. • 215,000 N. Korean soldiers dead. • 137,000 S. Korean soldiers dead. • 500,000 Chinese dead. • 36,000 US dead. • 3,000 UN forces dead.

  14. Canada & Korean War • PM St. Laurent cautiously brought Canada into the war. • Originally only Navy / Air forces due to fear of Soviet escalation in Europe. • Eventually Canada was pressured into committing 27,000 soldiers, sailors and aircrew (3rd largest UN contingent).

  15. Colombia & Korean War • Committed 6,200 troops and 6 warships. • Lone LA participant in the war. • Last Colombian troops did not leave the peninsula until 1955.

  16. Political Consequences - Canada • Government initiated the most massive and costly peacetime rearmament in the nation’s history. • 45% of the annual budget went to defense and Canada’s NATO contribution.

  17. Political Consequences - US • Further strained relationship with the Soviet bloc. • Supported the French in Vietnam • Stationed thousands of troops along the 38th parallel. • Single-minded commitment to containment by every US president until the 90’s.

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