Bringing Korea to the K-12 ClassroomsBringing Korea to the K-12 Classrooms

The Korean WarThe Korean War((June 25,1950 to July 27,1953June 25,1950 to July 27,1953))

National Korean Studies SeminarCopyright 2014

Sung Kim and Mary Connor

The Two Brothers (Korean War The Two Brothers (Korean War Museum, Seoul, South Korea)Museum, Seoul, South Korea)

The Korean War (1950-1953)The Korean War (1950-1953) The Korean War was a civil war. Brothers fought The Korean War was a civil war. Brothers fought

and killed one another as Americans fought and and killed one another as Americans fought and killed their fellow countrymen during the Civil killed their fellow countrymen during the Civil War.War.

The Korean War was also part of the Cold War, The Korean War was also part of the Cold War, a struggle between the United States and the a struggle between the United States and the former Soviet Union.former Soviet Union.

The Korean War armistice was signed in 1953, The Korean War armistice was signed in 1953, but the issues of that war remain unresolved.but the issues of that war remain unresolved.

Table of ContentsTable of Contents IntroductionIntroduction The End of WWII and the Division of KoreaThe End of WWII and the Division of Korea The Post-War World and the Cold War The Post-War World and the Cold War Emerging Leaders and Occupation Forces in South and Emerging Leaders and Occupation Forces in South and

North KoreaNorth Korea The Causes and Phases of the War The Causes and Phases of the War Summary and Flags of U.N. Forces Summary and Flags of U.N. Forces Statistics Connected to the WarStatistics Connected to the War The Results of the Korean WarThe Results of the Korean War Education during the Korean WarEducation during the Korean War Picture GalleryPicture Gallery

The End of WWII (1945)The End of WWII (1945)

On August 6 and 9, 1945 the United On August 6 and 9, 1945 the United States dropped two atomic bombs on States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan and ended World War II.Japan and ended World War II.

The Soviet Union sent troops into Korea to The Soviet Union sent troops into Korea to liberate the peninsula from Japan.liberate the peninsula from Japan.

The United States had no troops near The United States had no troops near Korea and feared that the USSR would Korea and feared that the USSR would take control of Korea.take control of Korea.

The Division of KoreaThe Division of Korea As Soviet troops poured into Korea, two United As Soviet troops poured into Korea, two United

States officials, without consulting any Koreans, States officials, without consulting any Koreans, made a proposal to the Soviet Union that led to made a proposal to the Soviet Union that led to the division of Korea.the division of Korea.

This proposal suggested that Korea be divided This proposal suggested that Korea be divided temporarily at the 38temporarily at the 38thth parallel and that the parallel and that the USSR would occupy the North and the United USSR would occupy the North and the United States would occupy the South.States would occupy the South.

The United States was surprised that the Soviet The United States was surprised that the Soviet Union accepted the proposal.Union accepted the proposal.

Background for Understanding the Background for Understanding the Post World War II PeriodPost World War II Period

The United States and the Soviet Union The United States and the Soviet Union became the two major powers in the world became the two major powers in the world after World War II ended in 1945.after World War II ended in 1945.

Although the war was over, poverty, Although the war was over, poverty, devastation, and political instability existed devastation, and political instability existed throughout Europe and most of Asia.throughout Europe and most of Asia.

The United Nations was created in 1945 to The United Nations was created in 1945 to maintain peace in what appeared to be a maintain peace in what appeared to be a very unstable world.very unstable world.

Post WWII TensionsPost WWII Tensions (U.S. and the U.S.S.R.) (U.S. and the U.S.S.R.)

The world had not stopped Japan or Germany when The world had not stopped Japan or Germany when each took aggressive steps in Asia , Europe and Africa each took aggressive steps in Asia , Europe and Africa at the beginning of WWII. After the war the U.S. believed at the beginning of WWII. After the war the U.S. believed that its lesson was now to stop aggression everywhere.that its lesson was now to stop aggression everywhere.

The Soviet Union distrusted the United States because The Soviet Union distrusted the United States because of wartime decisions that contributed to the deaths of 23 of wartime decisions that contributed to the deaths of 23 million lives. The death toll for WWII was 62 million million lives. The death toll for WWII was 62 million people.people.

The Soviet Union believed that capitalism exploits people The Soviet Union believed that capitalism exploits people all over the world because that economic system all over the world because that economic system inevitably leads to instability and colonialism or imperial inevitably leads to instability and colonialism or imperial control over less developed countries. control over less developed countries.

The Cold War (1945-1989)The Cold War (1945-1989) This tension between the Soviet Union and the This tension between the Soviet Union and the

United States led to what was called the Cold United States led to what was called the Cold War. This tension ultimately contributed to the War. This tension ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the Korean War.outbreak of the Korean War.

After WWII Russian troops remained in Eastern After WWII Russian troops remained in Eastern Europe. The U.S. took this as a sign that the Europe. The U.S. took this as a sign that the Soviet Union was not to be trusted and was Soviet Union was not to be trusted and was spreading communism.spreading communism.

After the tremendous losses in the war the After the tremendous losses in the war the Soviet Union wanted Eastern Europe to protect Soviet Union wanted Eastern Europe to protect them from further invasions.them from further invasions.

The Pros and Cons of CommunismThe Pros and Cons of Communism

Since the Soviet Union had become a Since the Soviet Union had become a major world power in a short period of major world power in a short period of time, many poor people in the world time, many poor people in the world thought communism could bring quick thought communism could bring quick economic growth and greater equality economic growth and greater equality between people.between people.

The United States feared that communism The United States feared that communism threatened democracy and capitalism as threatened democracy and capitalism as well as the American way of life.well as the American way of life.

U.S. President, Harry Truman U.S. President, Harry Truman (1945-1953)(1945-1953)

Since the Soviet Union occupied Since the Soviet Union occupied Eastern Europe after the War, President Eastern Europe after the War, President Harry Truman established the Truman Harry Truman established the Truman Doctrine to contain communism.Doctrine to contain communism.

Truman also created the Marshall Plan Truman also created the Marshall Plan to help the economic recovery of to help the economic recovery of Western Europe.Western Europe.

The U.S. supported the creation of The U.S. supported the creation of NATO, a military alliance with Western NATO, a military alliance with Western Europe to stop aggression.Europe to stop aggression.The U.S. President

Harry Truman

China becomes Communist and the U.S.S.RChina becomes Communist and the U.S.S.RTests an Atomic BombTests an Atomic Bomb

In 1949 Mao Zedong won the In 1949 Mao Zedong won the battle with Chang Gaesok battle with Chang Gaesok (Kai-shek) and brought (Kai-shek) and brought communism to the entire communism to the entire China mainland. China mainland.

The Soviet Union in the same The Soviet Union in the same year successfully tested an year successfully tested an atomic bomb and ended the atomic bomb and ended the U.S. monopoly on atomic U.S. monopoly on atomic weapons.weapons.

Mao Zedong, the communist leader of China

U.S. Occupation of South Korea U.S. Occupation of South Korea (1945-1948)(1945-1948)

General John Hodge became the leader of General John Hodge became the leader of the U.S. occupation forces and set up a the U.S. occupation forces and set up a government. He appointed propertied, government. He appointed propertied, anti-communist, well-educated, English- anti-communist, well-educated, English- speaking people to the new government.speaking people to the new government.

He also appointed many Koreans who had He also appointed many Koreans who had cooperated with the Japanese during cooperated with the Japanese during colonial occupation without realizing the colonial occupation without realizing the resentment this would create.resentment this would create.

Rhee and South Korea (ROK)Rhee and South Korea (ROK) In August, 1948, the Republic of Korea (ROK) was In August, 1948, the Republic of Korea (ROK) was

established in South Korea and Rhee Seungman established in South Korea and Rhee Seungman (a former independence fighter and ardent anti-(a former independence fighter and ardent anti-communist) was elected the first president. The communist) was elected the first president. The ROK claimed that it was the only legitimate ROK claimed that it was the only legitimate government on the peninsula.government on the peninsula.

The United States and many other democratic The United States and many other democratic nations promptly recognized the new government. nations promptly recognized the new government. U.S. troops exited South Korea, leaving poorly U.S. troops exited South Korea, leaving poorly trained Korean forces and limited military trained Korean forces and limited military equipment behind. equipment behind.

The new South Korean government called for The new South Korean government called for revolutionary changes such as land redistribution, revolutionary changes such as land redistribution, the nationalization of industry, and the right to vote the nationalization of industry, and the right to vote for men and women except for those who had for men and women except for those who had cooperated with the Japanese.cooperated with the Japanese.

Dr. Rhee Seungman,South Korea’s 1st

President

Soviet Occupation of North Korea Soviet Occupation of North Korea (1945-1948)(1945-1948)

The Soviet occupation forces fired Korean The Soviet occupation forces fired Korean government officials who had worked with the government officials who had worked with the Japanese during colonial occupation.Japanese during colonial occupation.

Large industries were nationalized, Japanese land Large industries were nationalized, Japanese land was seized and most landlords lost their property.was seized and most landlords lost their property.

When Kim Il Sung was appointed in 1946 to head When Kim Il Sung was appointed in 1946 to head the provisional government, he organized an army. the provisional government, he organized an army. Christian churches remained open, but Christian Christian churches remained open, but Christian political activities were ruthlessly stamped out.political activities were ruthlessly stamped out.

During this period two million Koreans fled to the During this period two million Koreans fled to the South.South.

Kim Il Sung and North Korea Kim Il Sung and North Korea (DPRK)(DPRK)

In 1948, the North Korea In 1948, the North Korea communists established the communists established the Democratic People’s Republic Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and Kim Il of Korea (DPRK), and Kim Il Sung was elected president.Sung was elected president.

The USSR approved the North The USSR approved the North Korea government and Korea government and withdrew its troops, but left a withdrew its troops, but left a large number of modern large number of modern military weapons and advisors military weapons and advisors to train Kim Il Sung’s forces.to train Kim Il Sung’s forces.

Kim Il Sung, the first President, ofNorth Korea

Kim Il SungKim Il Sung When Kim Il Sung was 17, the Japanese When Kim Il Sung was 17, the Japanese

imprisoned him for three months for organizing a imprisoned him for three months for organizing a Korean youth organization.Korean youth organization.

He became a famous anti-Japanese guerilla He became a famous anti-Japanese guerilla fighter, having close contacts with communists in fighter, having close contacts with communists in the Soviet Union and China.the Soviet Union and China.

Once in power as the leader of North Korea, he Once in power as the leader of North Korea, he moved quickly toward a dictatorship.moved quickly toward a dictatorship.

Determined to reunify Korea by force, he started Determined to reunify Korea by force, he started the Korean War with the reluctant support of the Korean War with the reluctant support of Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, and Mao Zedong.and Mao Zedong.

Preparing for WarPreparing for War

There had been frequent minor There had been frequent minor skirmishes near the 38th parallel skirmishes near the 38th parallel between 1945 and 1950.between 1945 and 1950.

Kim Il Sung had repeatedly Kim Il Sung had repeatedly asked Stalin for permission to asked Stalin for permission to invade the South. In 1950 Stalin invade the South. In 1950 Stalin finally gave his permission on finally gave his permission on the condition that Mao would the condition that Mao would support the invasion.support the invasion.

Mao agreed and sent 60,000 Mao agreed and sent 60,000 troops to North Korea.troops to North Korea.

Joseph Stalin, the leader of the SovietUnion

Key Figures During the Key Figures During the The Korean WarThe Korean War

Kim Il Sung

RheeSeung-man

General DouglasMacArthur

PresidentHarryTruman

MaoZedong

JosephStalin

PrincipalLeaders

Time Line: Phase 1 Time Line: Phase 1 (June to September 1950)(June to September 1950)

On June 25, 1950On June 25, 1950 the North Korean a the North Korean army rmy followed by Soviet tanks followed by Soviet tanks crossed crossed the 38th the 38th parallel. parallel. Within three days the North Within three days the North Korean army captured all of the Korean Korean army captured all of the Korean peninsula except for the area around peninsula except for the area around Pusan.Pusan.

Without a formal declaration of war, Without a formal declaration of war, President Truman sent U.S. air and naval President Truman sent U.S. air and naval forces to Korea, but could not stop the forces to Korea, but could not stop the North Korean army.North Korean army.

President Truman then requested the President Truman then requested the assistance of the United Nations (UN). assistance of the United Nations (UN).

The UN Security Council decided to The UN Security Council decided to defend South Korea and voted General defend South Korea and voted General Douglas MacArthur as Commander of the Douglas MacArthur as Commander of the UN forces (90% were American)UN forces (90% were American)

General DouglasMacArthur, ChiefCommander of UNForces

Time Line: Phase 2Time Line: Phase 2(September to October 1950)(September to October 1950)

On September 15, 1950, MacArthur carried On September 15, 1950, MacArthur carried off a surprise landing at Inchon harbor. off a surprise landing at Inchon harbor. Quickly moving inland, thousands of UN Quickly moving inland, thousands of UN forces liberated Seoul and pushed the forces liberated Seoul and pushed the North Korean army back to the 38North Korean army back to the 38thth parallel.parallel.

Truman believed that the entire Korean Truman believed that the entire Korean peninsula should be liberated from the peninsula should be liberated from the communists and authorized the UN forces communists and authorized the UN forces to cross the 38to cross the 38thth parallel. parallel.

In October, 1950, UN forces and the South In October, 1950, UN forces and the South Korean army marched to the north, Korean army marched to the north, captured the capital (Pyongyang), and captured the capital (Pyongyang), and continued towards the Yalu River on the continued towards the Yalu River on the border of China.border of China.

UN forces liberated Seoul (Sept. 15, 1950)

Time Line: Phase 3 Time Line: Phase 3 (October 1950 to June 1951)(October 1950 to June 1951)

On October 25, 1950, Mao On October 25, 1950, Mao Zedong sent hundreds of Zedong sent hundreds of thousands of Chinese troops into thousands of Chinese troops into North Korea. The Chinese army North Korea. The Chinese army poured into Korea and UN forces poured into Korea and UN forces retreated back to the south. retreated back to the south.

On January 4, 1951, Seoul fell On January 4, 1951, Seoul fell again to the North’s armed forces. again to the North’s armed forces.

By March, 1951, UN forces By March, 1951, UN forces recaptured Seoul. recaptured Seoul.

Continuing back and forth, the Continuing back and forth, the front line then stabilized around front line then stabilized around the 38the 38thth Parallel. Parallel.

Many thousands of Chinesesoldiers marched to the south.

Truman Fires MacArthurTruman Fires MacArthur With some stability around the 38With some stability around the 38thth

parallel, the United States and the Soviet parallel, the United States and the Soviet Union welcomed negotiations.Union welcomed negotiations.

MacArthur wanted to extend the war into MacArthur wanted to extend the war into China to liberate it from communism.China to liberate it from communism.

Truman fired MacArthur because he Truman fired MacArthur because he disagreed with the Commander of the UN disagreed with the Commander of the UN and believed that a war with China could and believed that a war with China could cause WWIII.cause WWIII.

The Prisoners of War IssueThe Prisoners of War Issue

During negotiations, the most controversial During negotiations, the most controversial issue was the fate of the prisoners of war.issue was the fate of the prisoners of war.

The U.S. insisted it would only return The U.S. insisted it would only return those North Korean and Chinese prisoners those North Korean and Chinese prisoners who wanted to go home. But North Korea who wanted to go home. But North Korea objected. objected.

Time Line: Phase 4 Time Line: Phase 4 (June 1951 to July 27,1953)(June 1951 to July 27,1953)

Finally after two years of negotiations, a truce was Finally after two years of negotiations, a truce was signed at Panmunjom on July 27, 1953.signed at Panmunjom on July 27, 1953.

A four-mile wide demilitarized zone (DMZ), called A four-mile wide demilitarized zone (DMZ), called the Joint Security Area (JSA), was established the Joint Security Area (JSA), was established across the peninsula.across the peninsula.

Panmujom (the armistice was Panmujom (the armistice was signed in one of these buildings)signed in one of these buildings)

Viewing North Korea from the DMZViewing North Korea from the DMZ

한국전쟁의 경과한국전쟁의 경과Korean War

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4

9. 15.1950- 10. 25.1950

MacArthurat Inchon

  Seoulliberated 

March Northward

10. 25.1950 - 6. 23.1951

6.23.1951- 7.27.1953

Front linestabilized

Chinese Invasion

6. 25.1950-9. 15.1950

North KoreaInvaded

Seoul Captured

Retreat to the south

Truce signedDMZ settled

Summary of the War

United Nations ForcesUnited Nations Forces

Australia( 호주 )

Belgium( 벨기에 )

Army

Canada( 캐나다 )

ArmyNavy

Air Force

Colombia( 콜롬비아 )

ArmyNavy

battleship

Army, Air ForceNavy

UN ForcesUN Forces

Ethiopia( 이디오피아 )

Army

France( 프랑스 )

Army

United Kingdom( 영국 )

ArmyNavy

Air Forcebattleship

Greece( 그리스 )

Armyfighter planes

UN ForcesUN Forces

Netherlands( 네덜란드 )

ArmyNavy

Luxembourg( 룩셈부르크 )

Army

New Zealand( 뉴질랜드 )

Army

Philippines( 필리핀 )

Armytank corps

UN Forces (16 countries)UN Forces (16 countries)

South Africa( 남 아프리카 )

Air Force

Thailand( 태국 )

Army NavyAir Force

Turkey( 터키 )

Army

United States( 미국 )

90% of UN Forces:Army, Navy, Air Force, battleships, fighter planes,weapons, supplies

Other SupportOther Support

Medical Support

DenmarkIndia ItalyNorway Sweden

Japan( 일본 )

Joined unofficiallyNavy and battleships

Korean War StatisticsKorean War StatisticsCivilians Civilians SoldiersSoldiers U.S.U.S. UN UN

forcesforces totaltotal

990,000990,000Mostly Mostly South South KoreansKoreans

900,000Chinese900,000Chinese520,000 North520,000 North270,000 South270,000 South

54,00054,000 130,000130,000 3,000,0003,000,000

Around three million people, almost one- tenth of Around three million people, almost one- tenth of the entire population were killed, wounded, and the entire population were killed, wounded, and missing.missing.

One-third of the dead were civilians. Another five One-third of the dead were civilians. Another five million became refugees and orphans.million became refugees and orphans.

Civilian VictimsCivilian Victims

When the North Korean troops captured Seoul, When the North Korean troops captured Seoul, thousands of South Koreans were killed.thousands of South Koreans were killed.

When the North Koreans retreated to the north, When the North Koreans retreated to the north, many South Korean civilians were kidnapped or many South Korean civilians were kidnapped or missing.missing.

Dead Dead WoundedWounded MissingMissing Total Total

374,160 374,160 229,625229,625 388,234 388,234 992,019 992,019

The Results of the Korean WarThe Results of the Korean War Korea remains divided, and U.S. troops are still Korea remains divided, and U.S. troops are still

stationed in South Korea.stationed in South Korea. The war resolved none of the issues of the war The war resolved none of the issues of the war

and left a legacy of bitterness and tension.and left a legacy of bitterness and tension. Korea was one of the poorest areas of the world, Korea was one of the poorest areas of the world,

and both North and South Korea were virtually and both North and South Korea were virtually destroyed. After 3 years of U.S. bombing hardly destroyed. After 3 years of U.S. bombing hardly a building remained in North Koreaa building remained in North Korea

Ten million people remained separated from Ten million people remained separated from their families by the 38their families by the 38thth parallel. parallel.

Results of the Korean WarResults of the Korean War

Each of the Koreas blamed the other as Each of the Koreas blamed the other as the sole aggressor of the war.the sole aggressor of the war.

The results contributed to the growth of The results contributed to the growth of authoritarian rule and suppression of civil authoritarian rule and suppression of civil rights both north and south of the DMZ.rights both north and south of the DMZ.

The U.S. concluded that it could contain The U.S. concluded that it could contain communism and entered the Vietnam communism and entered the Vietnam War.War.

Education during the Korean WarEducation during the Korean War

During the Korean War about 80 percent of all During the Korean War about 80 percent of all educational facilities were damaged or educational facilities were damaged or destroyed. In spite of the widespread hunger, destroyed. In spite of the widespread hunger, death, destruction, dislocation, and a shortage of death, destruction, dislocation, and a shortage of teachers, textbooks, supplies, and buildings, teachers, textbooks, supplies, and buildings, efforts were made as early as 1951 to resume efforts were made as early as 1951 to resume education. Korean parents willingly sent their education. Korean parents willingly sent their children to factories, refugee camps, tents, or children to factories, refugee camps, tents, or even street schools if this was all that was even street schools if this was all that was available.available.

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BibliographyBibliography Cumings, Bruce. Cumings, Bruce. Korea’s Place in the SunKorea’s Place in the Sun Connor, Mary E. Connor, Mary E. The Koreas: A Global Studies The Koreas: A Global Studies

Handbook (Handbook (20022002). ). Santa Barbara, CA, ABC-CLIO, Inc. Santa Barbara, CA, ABC-CLIO, Inc. Norton, Mary Beth, et al. Norton, Mary Beth, et al. A People and a NationA People and a Nation http://www.korean-war.com/TimeLine/1950/06-25to08-03

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&q=general%20D.%20MacArthur&btnG=Search&sa=N&tab=wi

http://www.panmunjomtour.com/dmz/dmz_2.htm http://preview.britannica.co.kr/bol/topic.asp?article_id=b2

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