Korean War Notes

Japan occupied Korea for 30 years until 1945. The Allies divided Korea into two
parts in 1945 at the 38th parallel. Supposed to be temporary, but then the Cold War
started. Soviet troops in North and US in South until 1948-49 when they were
withdrawn.
North: communist leader Kin I1 Sung; had Soviet equipment/well trained army.
South: anti-Communist leader Syngman Rhee, not democratic and peasants did not
support him. Both sides wanted control of whole country; brutal treatment of
prisoners on both sided.
-North Korea would not allow free elections because 2/3rds of the people lived in
South Korea.
-The US and the SU both claimed to want to reunify Korea, but each helped to
establish rival regimes.
Why North attacked the South: Stalin encouraged the attack because he couldnt take
any more of Europe and wanted to show Soviet strength to Mao (China). Show Japan
the SU is strong.
o January 1950 Secretary of State Dean Acheson made a speech stating
Korea was not vital to US interests in the Pacific (gave communists the
OK to invade).
o Several delegates from NK were arrested by SK.
o Also believed that NK attacked SK in anticipation of an early SK initiative
(SK had a larger military and NK may have wanted to surprise SK).
Soviets were absent when UN Security Council met June 27, 1950 and voted to assist
South Korea. Called a police action. In August Soviet delegates returned and would
veto any additional UN votes. Sixteen total countries sent forces (G.B., Turkey, Australia,
but US sent 50% of ground troops, 85% of navy, and 93% of airforce; South Korea =
40% of ground troops.
-SU boycotted the UN because Communist China was not admitted to the UN (US
recognized nationalists as Chinas legal government).
When Pusan held, MacArthur makes bold plan to land Marines at Inchon and cut Norths
supply lines, retake Seoul, and trap Norths troops. It was a success.
UN General Assembly approved unification of Korea under democratic govt, and UN
forces cross the 38th parallel and proceed toward Yalu River.
US and China have some misunderstandings: China wanted to protect its border, warned
the US; China viewed US as the invader like Japan (Manchuria). MacArthur did not
believe Chinese would enter the war and didnt respect Chinese soldiers and misjudged
their strength.
-MacArthur assured Truman that the Chinese would not intervene despite Chinas
warnings.

October 26, 1950: 200,000-300,000 Chinese soldiers attack/surprise/wipe-out UN forces.

Frostbite, cold, rough terrain in the North: UN forces retreat.
Spring 1951, MacArthur wanted to widen the war, maybe use atomic bomb, argues with
President Truman over policy and is fired. Not a popular decision among Americans, and
soon they lose interest in helping Korea (containment policy does not always mean
victory).
-Should there be a limited war or an all-out war.
-MacArthur wants to use the atomic bomb against China and use Chiang Kai-sheks
forces (all-out war).
Stalemate after one year-neither side could win. Peace negotiations begin July 1951.
North Korean cities are bombed; P.O.W. camps-brutal treatment /conditions; lots of
propaganda on both sides; one million Korean civilians die. Cease-fire July 1953, Stalin
has died, and new US President Eisenhower sounds aggressive.
Treaty of Panmunjon: 38th parallel divides the North and South, each nation has its own
govt, Demilitarized zone created (DMZ), but nothing really changes.
The Truman administration viewed the war as an effort to maintain American credibility
abroad and American credibility at home (the US already lost China to the Communists).
Forty thousand prisoners in SK did not want to return to China or North Korea.
Primary deterrent policy of NATO (created in April 1949) was the use of the nuclear
weapon. President Eisenhower threatened he would use it after the Korean War.
The SU acquired bomb technology in 1949 and using nuclear weapons as a deterrent
ended when the SU launched Sputnik in 1957.
NATO used Flexible Response in 1962: use and strengthen conventional forces before
using the bomb.
Harmel Report in 1967 (Belgium foreign minister Pierre Harmels study):
-stated that the pursuit of peace and stability in Europe, was just as important as the
function of collective defense Dtente = cooling off period of hostile relations.
1978-79 Soviet modernized nuclear missiles at Western Europe and Soviet military
intervened (1979) in Afghanistan. Dtente ends.
In 1979 US is dealing with oil stock shortage and post-Vietnam problems. US countered
by upgrading and placing missiles in G.B., Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
In 1987 the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed by Reagon and
Gorbachev. Limits nuclear weapons. Cold War slowly comes to an end.
In 1991 North Korea officially recognized the existence of South Korea. Agree that they
should get nuclear weapons out of Korea.
South Korea Today:

-Unlikely China or Su would want to get involved in a North Korean invasion of

South Korea.
-Costs $2.7 billion a year to keep US soldiers in South Korea (43,000 troops).
-South Korean economy 8* larger then NK, and 2* the # of people living in SK vs.
NK.
-SK provides only $7,000 in direct support to each US soldier in SK (Japan provides
$40,000 for each troop).
-Both countries have grown up (MAYBE). Only a cease-fire exists in Korea. War
could start any time.