After World War II ended in September 1945, Korea was one of the few former Japanese colonies not immediately under native governance reclaiming power from their colonizers. Instead, South Korean dictator Syngman Rhee was supported by both the US and Soviet Russia, while North Korean communists received assistance from both governments.
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Both sides were deeply entrenched, and Rhee was unable to deliver an effective blow against his adversary despite making steady advances towards them.
Another Flashpoint of the Cold War
The Korean War marked the initial battle of what would later become known as a global Cold War. Beginning just weeks after World War II had concluded and lasting 13 months later, this conflict pitted three major world powers -- United States, Soviet Union and China against each other, ultimately leading to Korea being split into two separate independent states.
At the center of World War II lay a dispute over control of Korea. Unlike China and Manchuria colonies that fell to Japan in 1941-42, Korea did not possess an indigenous government or colonial regime to take back power upon hostilities ceasing; rather, most claimants for power were exiles from former Chinese and Russian empires, such as Marxist revolutionary groups who claimed power-holding positions during hostilities.
Syngman Rhee was supported reluctantly by the American government; communist dictator Kim Il Sung received more enthusiastic backing from Soviet Russia. Each dictator sought sole control of Korea; as such, US and Soviet officials differed on how best to resolve their differences over control of this vast peninsula.
US military planners were unprepared for how to respond when war started; they misinterpreted Korean culture as authoritarian and lacking democracy, leading them to misinterpret Korean history and culture as being autocratic and lacking democracy; US occupation officials ignorant of Korean history were powerless against popular anger; furthermore, poor coordination between US and Soviet occupation zones contributed to increased tensions as well.
By September 1950, when war erupted in Korea, Soviet forces had already taken control of most of northern Korea and implemented policies designed to gain popular support and win them victory. They implemented wide-ranging social, economic and political changes while punishing landlords and collaborators whose actions contributed further to rising distress in their zone.
Even so, the US was determined to fight for southern Korea's independence despite these difficulties. Truman agreed with Army Secretary Frank Pace's initial suggestion that military operations north of the 38th parallel should be strictly limited and led UNC forces led by General Douglas MacArthur on limited offensives up to Pusan's perimeter in southeastern Korea where in November 1952 Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) units repulsed a Chinese attack at what became known as "The Hook", an important point in later stages of conflict.
A Divided Peninsula
The Korean War, initiated by the Cold War, left lasting scars that continue to manifest themselves today in both South and North Korea. From physical destruction, through psychological effects and ultimately to cultural traumas. The war left behind deep scars on Korean society - both superficially visible as well as those beneath its surface that still reverberate deeply within Koreans' minds and core being.
Prior to World War II, Korea suffered under Japanese colonial rule for many years. But after Allies defeating Japan, many believed Korea would finally be freed to pursue its own course; unfortunately, however, two Allied occupation zones emerged with one led by Soviet Russia and one supported by United States: north of thirty-eighth parallel was established the Democratic People's Republic of Korea while south was given US support as it transitioned to republic status.
As the Cold War escalated between superpowers, both America and Soviet Russia sought to establish their respective "spheres of influence" across Asia. In August 1945, both allies agreed upon splitting control of Korea between themselves; this decision, made without consulting Koreans first-hand, marked the start of a bloody three-year conflict that was to follow.
In 1948, UN-supervised elections established two opposing governments on the Korean peninsula: one southern government led by Syngman Rhee and a northern one led by Kim Il Sung for their respective sides, both claiming sovereignty over all of Korea while receiving support from both US and Soviet governments.
War broke out between North Korea and South Korea on June 25, 1950 with an invasion by North Korean forces. Following this eventful start to hostilities, US Eighth Army was deployed from its Pusan Perimeter location in the south to push north alongside X Corps until liberating Seoul two weeks later and sending KPA forces back into North Korea. Due to fear that Rhee might launch another assault to regain the north, the US administration severely limited ROK military capabilities including withholding tanks and heavy artillery from ROK military.
Negotiations over prisoners continued until July 1953 when an armistice was signed that ended organized combat and created the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Unfortunately, a peace treaty has never been signed; therefore technically speaking the war has never officially concluded; its legacy being US military bases that still reside on the peninsula as well as mandatory conscription for Korean men; moreover it can also be seen through increasing numbers of defectors from North Korea.
Ongoing Tensions
The Korean War, which raged between 1950 and 1953, was an integral conflict in the Cold War - often known as "Forgotten War." Its effects remain felt today with North and South Korean relations remaining divided and ongoing tensions still evident today.
Beginning on 25 June 1950, when forces from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) invaded South Korea (the Republic of Korea), crossing over the 38th Parallel North. The UN at that time immediately condemned this act of aggression and two days later established United Nations Command to coordinate international military responses to invasion; both China and Soviet Russia pledged military aid as the US supported military operations through troops on both sides.
Together these armies became embroiled in an international proxy war that was both internal and international in scope. The DPRK and its allies received support from outside world superpowers such as China (who sent 3 million volunteers). Meanwhile Joseph Stalin, leader of Soviet bloc nations, preferred using divide-and-conquer tactics to combat American forces directly rather than directly engaging them militarily.
As fighting continued, it became apparent that neither side would achieve an overwhelming victory. By 1951's end, peace negotiations had begun - and it would take an additional two years of perseverance for this conflict to finally come to a close.
The armistice signed in July 1953 was not an official peace treaty; rather it established a 2.5-mile wide demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea. Even so, North Korea maintains that they consider ROK an enemy state and frequently violates ceasefire agreements by attacking across borders.
The North is home to an even larger standing army, allocating roughly 20% of GDP for military expenditure. Furthermore, Russia and China both provide arms as well as economic investments, meaning any military conflict on its peninsula could quickly turn into global conflict.
Conclusions
After World War II, global powers drew a line dividing Korea between Soviet-backed Democratic People's Republic of Korea (today's North Korea) and American-supported Republic of Korea in the south. This caused a vicious civil war and proxy battle between global powers that resulted in approximately 2 to 4 million Korean deaths as well as over 100,000 American casualties.
On June 25th 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea in a coordinated assault across several points along the 38th parallel, in order to militarily conquer and unify Korea under North Korean control. To accomplish this task they relied on assistance from Soviet Russia and Communist China which provided supplies and advisers. Fearing an escalation might lead to another world war President Harry S Truman mobilized United States air, land, and naval forces as aid for South Korea.
In May 1948, Republic of Korea had elected pro-western dictator Syngman Rhee who, despite anti-communist rhetoric and his election victory, was highly conservative and opposed any attempt at reform or any alteration in their nation's status quo. Meanwhile in North Korea under Kim Il-Sung there had been strong popular support and even approval by both Stalin and Mao Zedong!
As Rhee's government crumbled under the strain of an expanding economy, an expanding population, and political repression, the Communists took advantage of his government's weaknesses by seizing upon this opportunity and exploiting this vulnerability. Tensions rose to such an extent that border skirmishes became common.
With the North's invasion in 1950, this conflict quickly spiraled into full-scale war. Both sides sought outside world superpower assistance: China sent in "volunteers" to aid KPA forces; Mao was reluctant to engage directly with US; Stalin supported this invasion effort from North.
Conflict between North and South Korea ended on 27 July 1953 with an armistice being signed. Although a formal peace treaty has never been agreed to, Koreans view the war as their second greatest tragedy after Japanese colonial rule.
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