Korean War 1950-1953 - to the 38th - COLD WAR DOCUMENTARY

Summary

In 2020, the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, often called the Forgotten War, highlighted a pivotal yet overlooked conflict of the Cold War era. The war began in 1950 when North Korea, backed by the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea, aiming to unify the peninsula. The United States, leading a UN coalition, intervened to support South Korea, marking the first significant military action of the Cold War. The conflict saw massive casualties, including one in ten Koreans, and ended in a stalemate, leaving the peninsula divided and setting the stage for ongoing tensions.

Takeaways

• 📆 The 70th anniversary of the Korean War, a pivotal conflict in the Cold War era, was in June 2020.
• 🌐 The Korean War is often referred to as the 'Forgotten War' due to its low profile during and after the conflict.
• 💥 The war resulted in approximately 3 million deaths, a significant toll that underscores its severity.
• 🇰🇵 The division of Korea into North and South began after World War II, with the 38th parallel serving as the dividing line.
• 🔄 The Korean Peninsula was under Chinese influence until the Sino-Japanese War of 1894, after which it became a Japanese protectorate and later was annexed by Japan.
• 🔫 The resistance against Japanese occupation led to the formation of two key factions: a nationalist government in exile and a communist resistance movement.
• 🌟 Kim Il-sung, the grandfather of North Korea's Kim Jong-un, was a key figure in the communist resistance against Japanese rule.
• 🌎 The United States and the Soviet Union played significant roles in shaping the post-World War II political landscape of Korea, leading to the establishment of separate governments in the North and South.
• 🔄 The Korean War began in 1950 when North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel, leading to a rapid advance into South Korean territory.
• ✈️ UN forces, led by General Douglas MacArthur, executed a successful counteroffensive, including the strategic landings at Inchon, which helped to turn the tide of the war.

Q & A

What is the significance of the year 2020 in relation to the Korean War?

The year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, which was a pivotal conflict that transitioned the world from the World War 2 era into the Cold War.

Why is the Korean War sometimes referred to as the 'Forgotten War'?

The Korean War is often called the 'Forgotten War' because it was fought with a low profile, possibly intentionally, to avoid a repeat of the widespread public opposition that occurred during the Vietnam War.

How did the division of Korea into two separate entities come about?

Korea was divided into two entities after World War II, with the United States and the Soviet Union agreeing to split the Korean Peninsula along the 38th parallel into occupation zones. This division was initially intended to be temporary, but it became permanent due to the ideological differences between the two superpowers.

What role did Japan play in the early history of the Korean Peninsula?

Japan played a significant role by annexing the Korean Peninsula in 1910, turning it into a part of the Japanese Empire. This led to the formation of resistance movements, including nationalist and communist factions, which would later influence the Korean War.

Who were the key military leaders from the nationalist and communist factions in Korea during the resistance against Japanese occupation?

The key military leaders were Yi Pom-Sok, the nationalist leader, and Kim Il-sung, the communist leader, who both led armies recruited and trained in different factions of China, primarily composed of Korean refugees.

What was the impact of World War II on the Korean Peninsula?

World War II led to Japan, as part of the Axis powers, being at war with Western powers and eventually the Soviet Union. Post-war, the Soviet Union moved troops into the upper part of the Korean Peninsula, and the US and USSR agreed to split Korea into occupation zones, which set the stage for the division of Korea.

Why did the United States decide to intervene in the Korean War?

The United States intervened in the Korean War to prevent the spread of communism, protect its interests in the region, particularly Japan, and uphold the international order established after the Second World War. The decision was also influenced by the absence of Soviet troops in the conflict.

What was the role of the United Nations in the Korean War?

The United Nations played a significant role by condemning the North Korean invasion and assembling a resolution that called on member states to provide aid to South Korea. The UN also provided ground forces and air support to South Korea, which was crucial in reversing the momentum of the war.

What was the significance of the Inchon landing in the Korean War?

The Inchon landing was a surprise amphibious assault by UN forces that significantly improved their position in the war. It helped break the Pusan Perimeter and allowed the UN and South Korean forces to push back the North Korean troops, cutting off their supply lines and recapturing Seoul.

What were the consequences of the North Korean invasion for the South Korean government and its people?

The North Korean invasion led to the rapid collapse of the South Korean Army and the fall of Seoul. It also resulted in massacres of intellectuals and people who worked for the South Korean government by the invading North Koreans, causing significant loss of life and chaos.