Summary
Highlights
Following World War II, Korea was divided, with the North occupied by the USSR and the South by the United States. This led to the creation of two distinct states in 1948: North Korea, led by Kim Il-sung, and South Korea, led by Syngman Rhee, with the 38th parallel as the border. The war began on June 25, 1950, with North Korea's invasion of the South, supported by the Soviets. North Korea quickly captured the South Korean capital within 43 days.
Facing imminent defeat, South Korea requested international support from the UN. The US secured a military contingent, led by General MacArthur, as the USSR boycotted the UN Security Council at the time. On September 15, 1950, international troops landed in Incheon, South Korea, quickly pushing back North Korean forces. The international contingent nearly reached the border between China and North Korea by late October 1950.
Seeing the communist side's defeat, China intervened in early November, sending 50 divisions. This Chinese offensive forced the UN-mandated army to retreat. General MacArthur, advocating for atomic weapons against Manchuria, was replaced. The front line stabilized by spring 1951 near the 38th parallel, but the war continued for two more years.
Peace talks began in spring 1951, culminating in an armistice signed on July 27, 1953. This agreement re-established the border between the two Koreas near the 1948 line and created a 4 km demilitarized zone. The conflict resulted in an estimated two million deaths, half of whom were civilians. Experts consider it the most direct confrontation between the US and the Soviets during the Cold War. As of 2017, the demilitarized zone and the animosity between the two Koreas persist, a reminder of the war and despite some desires for reunification.