The Korean

War(1950-1953)

After WWII, Korean Peninsula

divided into North and South Korea at the 38th

Parallel

South Korea became

independent of Japan in 1945

US helping South and Soviet Union

helping North

A desire to unify Korea as one communist nation led to North Korea’s attack on South Korea, which signified the beginning of the

Korean War.

When the Communist troops of North Korea

crossed the 38th Parallel on June 25, 1950 and invaded

South Korea, the US became involved

because of a promise to support South

Korea. It was feared that this tiny peninsula would be the setting for the eruption of World War

Three and the beginning of other countries falling to

communism.

The United Nations joined forces with the US and South Korea to stop the invasion.

North Korea had the support of

the Soviet Union and the military

support of China.

China and the Soviet Union

wanted to maintain

communism near their borders.

Korea like Vietnam, was part of the Cold War to stop

the advancement of Communism in Southeast

Asia.

In July of 1951, peace talks

began between the UN and the North Koreans.

The UN hoped for a quick

resolution; however, that was not to be.

The talks dragged on for

two years and 17 days. During that

time the war continued.

The UN and North Korean leaderships

finally signed an agreement on July 27,

1953.

This agreement technically brought the

war to an end, but a state of hostilities continued to exist between North and

South Korea for many years, and even today the situation remains

unresolved.

Korean War Memorial – Washington D.C.

If one compares the statistics of the Korean War (54,246) to those of Vietnam (58,226) which

lasted over sixteen years, by ratio the Korean War was far bloodier than Vietnam.

Korean War Memorial

Results of Korean War … Nothing gained … many died!

•North and South Korea still divided. •North Korea still communist.•South Korea still a republic.•Still the two are bitter enemies.

However … the US did meet its

objective … they did stop the

advancement of Communism into

South Korea!

North and South Korea

Today …The DMZ

The Demilitarized Zone (or DMZ) is a strip of land (about 153 miles) running across the

Korean Peninsula. The DMZ serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. Seoul, with a population of approximate 10 million is located within a couple of miles

from it.

Scenes from the DMZ

A ten-foot-high barbed-wire fence runs along the southern side of the DMZ. The sign atop the hill

flashes patriotic slogans in an attempt to demoralize North Korean border guards.

Tunnels that have been found – North Koreans trying to dig under the DMZ wall.