Korean War 1950-1953

Korea was colonised by Japan in 1910 and ruled until the end of World War II. Towards the end of war Japan surrendered, making it a way for Russia (then USSR) to take advantage. A week before Japan surrendered Russia saw the opportunity and fortunes changing, of which they took advantage and entered Korea. As a result Korea was divided at 38th parallel. Creating North Korea as a communist state, with Russia in charge and south of parallel as democratic South Korea under the jurisdiction of US.
US held election and Syngman Rhee was elected as the President of the Korea South and US troops left South Korea in 1949. But, USSR left with well equipped and trained North Korean army of about 135,000 supported by tanks and artillery. South Korea’s forces numbered about 98,000. Both Korea wanted reunification - North wanted unified communist while South wanted unified democracy.
North was encouraged by its superior military balance, while according to ill-advised statement from US Secretary of State Dean Acheson, South appeared to be out of military commitments. Seeing this, in the early hours of 25th of June 1950, North Korea launched a surprise attack across the south of 38th parallel. Nearly half of the South Korean troops were on leave for the weekend. Attack was well co-ordinate.
By early September 1950, 95% of Korean Peninsula was under North’s control, the only remaining was Busan. But, this was changed as General Douglas MacArthur prepared to reverse the course of war. On 15th of September 1950, General MacArthur ordered a daring, sea-borne attack on the western port city of Inchon. The purpose of attack on this western port, beyond the enemy line was to cut the supplies and communications between the enemy’s troops and trap them between the troops landing on the western port and the Busan units.
Two battalions entered Inchon beating the resistance, but meeting no counter attack, Inchon was won. At the same time troops broke free from being corned at Busan and began to advance to the north. The North Koreans started to panicked and began to flee and by 25th of September 1950 Seoul was recaptured by the allies.
In April 1951, General MacArthur was fired by President Harry Truman for insubordination and was replaced by General Matthew Ridgway. Truce between two Koreas began, but went nowhere. In January 1953, Dwight Eisenhower succeeded Truman as US President. Eisenhower, who had been openly critical of the war, informed the communist troops that he was willing to use nuclear weapons to end the conflict. The same year in March 1953, the death of Joseph Stalin shook the foundations of the communist world.
In July 27, 1953, an armistice was eventually signed, with both sides accepting the new border. Troops in thousands were returned by both sides, it was The Operation Big Switch. The armistice was only intended to be temporary. The document said it was aimed at a ceasefire “until a final peaceful settlement is achieved”. The settlement never came. Korean Peninsula was discussed in The Geneva Convention Agreements in 1954, but failed to resolve the Korean issue. Even, after more than 55 years - today both Koreas are technically still at war. Four (4) kilometers wide border that runs along the 38th parallel are still filled with mines.
About two million Korean civilians, 1.5 million communist forces, around 30,000 US, 400,000 South Korean and 1,000 British troops are believed to have died in the Korean War.

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