The Korean War 1950 - 1953

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The Korean War occurred within the context of the Cold War; a global ideological battle between Communism and Capitalism. Korea had been under the rule of the Japanese Empire since 1910 and after Japan had surrendered at the end of World War 2 Korea was divided, at the 38th Parallel, between the Soviet Union and the United States. Soviet forces occupied the Northern half of the country and U.S. forces occupied the South. The North established a Communist Government and the South established a Capitalist Government – both in keeping with the ideology of the forces occupying the land.






The physical and ideological division between the two halves of the country is what began the conflict that would later turn into war. In 1948 the South decided to hold elections and on August 15th 1948, the Republic of South Korea was officially founded, and Syngman Rhee was elected as president. Shortly after this the USSR established a communist Government with Kim Il-Sung as the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Talks began between Rhee and Kim to reunify the country, however, both wanted to unify the country under their own governmental system.

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 Border skirmishes began to increase in frequency and intensity and on June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. The United Nations authorised military intervention in South Korea and began to send aid. The United States provided 88% of the troops that supported the South in repelling the invasion of the North Koreans, although there were also troops from; the U.K, Turkey, Australia, Canada, France, Greece, Columbia, Thailand, Ethiopia, the Netherlands, Philippines, Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand, Norway, and Luxembourg.  The Soviet Union did not get directly involved in supporting the North but provided aid to the North Korean and Chinese armies.

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An armistice agreement was signed on 27 July 1953 and the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established at the 38th parallel. The countries are still technically at war and there are still occasional skirmishes and plenty of posturing between the two governments. As a result of this there is still a large number of U.S. troops present in South Korea.

 There are currently 107 U.S. Installations and approximately 28,500 troops posted in South Korea – to ensure that if the war were to break out again that South Korea would have adequate defenses.