The Korean War

Overview of the War

The Korean War, which unfolded between 1950 and 1953, was a pivotal conflict in the post-World War II era. The War began on 25th June 1950 when North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea, backed by the United States and its Western allies, aiming to reunify the country under a communist regime. The UNSC passed several resolutions that condemned the invasion, authorised a unified command under the United States, and called for the restoration of peace and security in Korea. The War was fought along the 38th parallel, which divided Korea, and saw several major battles, such as the Incheon Landing, the Chosin Reservoir, and the Battle of Pork Chop Hill.

Background

The roots of the Korean War can be traced back to the end of World War II when the Korean Peninsula, which had been under Japanese occupation since 1910, was liberated. In 1945, the peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel (latitude 38° N) into two occupation zones after the defeat of Japan:

• the northern zone controlled by the Soviet Union 

• the southern zone controlled by the United States.

The division was intended to be temporary, with the aim of establishing a unified and independent Korean state. However, as Cold War tensions escalated, the division became more permanent, with separate governments established in the North i.e. Democratic People's Republic of Korea, led by Kim Il-sung and the South i.e. the Republic of Korea, led by Syngman Rhee.

The United Nations Command (UNC)

In response to North Korea’s invasion of South Korea, the UNSC in its 476th meeting, passed Resolution 84 condemning the aggression. The Soviet Union, boycotting the UN at that time, was not present to veto the resolution. The UN Command (UNC) was established to coordinate the military efforts of the UN forces during the Korean War. General Douglas MacArthur was appointed as the commander of UNC. The UNC consisted of troops from 16 UN Member States, providing a multinational element to the military intervention in Korea. Nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many others contributed forces under the UNC banner.

Enter, The Dragon

Following the successful UN counteroffensive at Inchon in September 1950, UN forces pushed into North Korea, raising concerns in China. Despite warnings from China that it would not tolerate a UN presence near its border, MacArthur continued the advance toward the Yalu River, the border between North Korea and China. In late October 1950, Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) forces, under the command of Mao Zedong, crossed the Yalu River and entered the War on the side of North Korea. The entry of Chinese forces transformed the conflict into a prolonged war of attrition. The frontlines fluctuated, and both sides engaged in brutal battles, including the Battles of Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, and Old Baldy.

The Armistice and The DMZ

The Hague Convention of 1899, defines an armistice an agreement to stop fighting for a certain period of time or within a certain area.  After two years of negotiations, an armistice agreement was signed on 27th July 1953, by representatives of the UNC, the Korean People’s Army (KPA), and the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (PVA). The agreement provided for a complete cessation of hostilities, a withdrawal of all military forces and equipment from a 4 KM wide zone, and the establishment of a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as a buffer between the two sides. The agreement also arranged for the release and repatriation of prisoners of war and displaced persons, and the creation of a Military Armistice Commission (MAC) and other agencies to monitor and ensure compliance with the truce terms. 

The armistice agreement and the DMZ are still the only safeguards for peace on the Korean Peninsula. A peace treaty was never signed, and technically, the War has not ended. The Korean Peninsula remains divided to this day.

The UNKRA & The UNCURK

The United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea (UNCURK) and the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency (UNKRA) were established to assist the South Korean people in the Korean War.

The UNKRA was founded by the UNSC in 1950 to provide humanitarian aid and relief to the South Korean people and it was headed by an Agent-General and had offices in Seoul, Pusan, and Tokyo. It received funds and supplies from 33 UN Member States and carried out 260 major projects in various sectors, such as industry, mining, agriculture, education, housing, and health. The UNKRA also cooperated with other UN agencies, such as UNICEF and the WHO, to provide basic services and assistance to the South Koreans. It ceased operating in 1959, after spending more than $450 million in assistance.

The UNCURK was founded by the UNGA in 1951 to help the Korean people achieve national unity and economic recovery and it consisted of representatives from 14 UN member states and was based in Seoul. It supervised the repatriation or resettlement of the refugees, monitored the human rights situation, and advised the South Korean government on political and social issues. It also conducted elections and supervised the constitutional assembly in South Korea. 

The UNCURK operated until 1973 when it was disbanded due to the lack of progress in the unification of Korea.

Aftermath

The Korean War resulted in a staggering human cost, with millions of casualties, including soldiers and civilians. It was a critical episode in the larger Cold War struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union. The War strained relations between the United States and China, and it had a lasting impact on the geopolitics of East Asia. The United States, as a signatory to the armistice and as stipulated by the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1953, continues to station troops in South Korea as part of its commitment to the defence of the region. South Korea, with aid from the United States and other allies, underwent rapid industrialisation in the following decades, transforming into an economic powerhouse. Kim Il-sung solidified his control over North Korea. 

The experience of the Korean War reinforced the importance of a strong military in North Korean governance. This led to the development of the Songun or “Military-First” policy, emphasising the prioritisation of military affairs in the allocation of resources. North Korea adopted the Juche ideology, emphasising self-reliance and independence.

The armistice line along the 38th parallel serves as the de facto border between North and South Korea to this date.