By Jeff Little
For years, it was called a conflict. Many termed it a police action.
But since large groups of people were fighting and dying, it would be
much more accurate to come right out and call it what it was. It was a
war.
The Korean War was deemed a police action as a means for the United
States Military to bypass the necessity for Congress to make an
official declaration of war. And while our country committed far more
troops and resources than any of the other combatants supporting South
Korea in their battle against North Korea, several other nations
allying with the United States were referred to as United Nations
Forces. Officially, the situation was called The Korean Conflict.
Ruled by Japan since 1910, Korea became occupied by the United States
and the Soviet Union near the end of World War II in 1945. Dividing
the country along the 38th parallel, the super powers each set about
the business of installing governments similar to their own in their
respective halves.
North Korea, under the rule of Kim Il Sung, emulated the Soviet Union,
while South Korea attempted a form of government under leader Syngman
Rhee that was more similar to their U.S. occupiers. In the early years
of the Cold War, this was a recipe for disaster as each leader became
obsessed with reuniting their country; Rhee intent on democracy, Sung
pushing for Communist rule.
On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops numbering 135,000 crossed the
38th parallel into South Korea and began armed hostilities that would
continue for over 3 years. The U.S. and South Korean troops, totally
surprised by the sneak attack, began the war in a defensive and
desperate situation.
In a brilliant counter maneuver, troops led by U.S. General Douglas
MacArthur (Commander-In-Chief for U.N. Forces in Korea) landed behind
North Korean lines at Inchon on September 15, 1950 and quickly turned
the tide. Driving North Korean forces back, MacArthur then went about
the business of crossing north over the 38th parallel and winning the
war. But it wasn't to be.
Fearful of a predominately American U.N. invasion, the Chinese crossed
into North Korea and entered the fracas. Reports of Chinese and North
Korean troops torturing and murdering prisoners became rampant.
MacArthur discussed the possibility of using nuclear weapons and
invading China. President Truman fired MacArthur. And the war bogged
down.
By the middle of 1951, The Korean War had degenerated into a virtual
draw, with neither side maintaining a distinct advantage for long. But
the killing continued as peace talks continued to drag on with no end
in sight.
Living up to his campaign promise, President Dwight D. Eisenhower
wisely imposed his will and helped bring about an end to the fighting
mere months after his inauguration. A cease-fire was established on
July 27, 1953.
3 years and 3 million deaths later, South Korea and North Korea came
to an understanding and agreed to exist as 2 separate countries with
their border set near the 38th parallel, almost exactly where it had
been before.
With its unnecessary violence, senseless death, monstrous atrocities
and political bumbling, the incident in Korea can definitely be given
a name. It was a war.
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