What we Learned from the Korean War

The Korean War is one of the most memorable wars ever. Especially because North and South Korea still have problems to this day. The war between North and South Korea started on June 25, 1950 and ended on July 27, 1953. Since 1910, Korea had been under the rule of Japan. So after World War II a decision was made to divide Korea rather than to unify it. The 38th parallel separated the Korean peninsula creating what we know today as North and South Korea. North Korean territory was taken over by the Soviet Union while South Korea was taken over by the United States. This meant that the north was ran by communism and the South by capitalism.

In June of 1950 South Korea was invaded by Chinese and North Korean troops which is what initially started the Korean War. The United Nations (UN) responded and sent in troops from Great Britain, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and the United States. The UN bombed industrial targets and much of North Korea's military once they invaded the 38th parallel. President Truman did not want to encourage Russia or China into a direct conflict so he denied General Douglas McArthur's act to seeking control over the country's entirety. Of course North Korea responded and fought back with the help of Chinese reinforcements. With this, the reestablishment of the 38th parallel was set. Truman then allowed nine atomic bombs to be transported to Okinawa. These atomic bombs never had to be used, but it was good to have them just in case.

By 1952, almost all towns and cities were destroyed I North Korea due to conventional bombings as well as twenty percent of their population. Civilians of North Korea were forced to live in canyons and caves. Nuclear bombs were approved by the U.S. National Security Council and by President Eisenhower on May 20, 1953. But once Joseph Stalin, soviet leader, died North Korea agreed to the Armistice. Because a peace treaty was actually never signed, the war was not over yet. A mutual defense treaty was signed between the United States and South Korea. This allowed free military bases to us while in return the U.S. would defend South Korea without the need for Congressional approval whenever there is an attack. From this, troops from both sides of the 38th parallel patrol it and it became a demilitarized zone. In 1953, the Korean War cost $30 billion.

From the U.S. perspective, I believe it was worth it. Yes out of everyone in the United Nations we sent over ninety percent of our troops and many were wounded and deceased, but in the end everyone came to an understanding and we had a huge role in that. Recently President Trump and Jong-Un met and North Korea agreed to stop production of all nuclear weapons which is great for us.

Cite this page