.
The Korean War (25 June
1950–armistice, 27 July 1953) was a military
conflict between the Republic of
Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea was supported by the United Nations
while and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was supported by
People's Republic of China (PRC), with air support from the Soviet
Union. The war was a result of the political division of Korea by
agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the World War II
in the Pacific. With the defeat of Japan, Korea which had been under
Japanese rule since 1910, was in 1945 divided in much the same way as
parts of Europe with the southern portion (divided along the 38th
parallel) being occupied by United States troops and the northern part
by Soviet Troops.
Free elections were planned throughout the
Korean Penisula in 1948. However when these failed to take place, the
divisions between the two sides deepened. A Communist government was
established in the North, while the South pursued more democratic rule.
Reunification negotiations were being conducting during this time,
however as the tensions escalated, cross-boarder raids and skirmishes
continued. On 24 Jun 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea and
the situation escalated into open warfare. This is considerted to the be
first significant armed conflict of the Cold War.
Coming to the
aid of South Korea were the United Nations and particularly the United
States. The North Koreans were quickly driven past the 38th Parallel and
almost to the Uala River by a rapid UN counter-offensive. As a result,
the People's Republic of China (PRC) entered the war on the side of the
North. With their counter-offensive launched, the Chinese and North
Koreans (materially aided by the Soviet Union) were able to repel the
United Nations forces back past the 38th Parallel.
An
armistice agreement was achieved on 27 July 1953, thereby resulting in a
cessation of hostilities. The armistice restored the border between the
Koreas near the 38th Parallel. A Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was
created to provide a wide buffer between the 2 Koreas. This DMZ is
2.5-miles (4.0 km) wide. Minor outbreaks of fighting continue to the
present day.
There was never any declaration of war by the US
Congress in support of the subsequent actions. Therefore, the war was
officially described as a police action. It has been referred to by some
as The Unknown war or The Forgotten War. To the men and women who
served and to their families we honor in the best way we can - by
remembering.
The US Department of Defence and other sources
provides the following US statistics*:
-
abt 5,720,000 Soldiers deployed World
Wide over the course of the conflict
-
Some in Combat - abt 1,800,000
-
Some at Home or Other duties
-
All Heros
-
abt 34,000 Battle Dead
-
abt 2,800 Non-battle deaths
-
abt 8,000 Missing in Action
-
abt 7,200 Prisoners of War
Note: *Statistics noted above from several sources -
none the same, so used approximations or averages to get a general sense
of the magnitude
[Sources: Wikipedia - Korean War]
