Detailed History of the Korean War

History

At 4 A.M. on June 25, 1950 (Far Eastern Time), North Korean infantry and tanks invaded South Korea by crossing the 38th parallel. The same afternoon (New York Time), UN Security Council passed a resolution to stop all hostilities and withdrawal of North Korean forces to the 38th parrallel. On June 27, 1950, the UN Security Council passed a second resolution "asking UN members to furnish such assistance to the Republic of Korea as may be necessary to repel the armed attack and to restore international peace and security of the area."

By July 5, 1950; Seoul was captured by north Korea forces. On July 5th, an infantry battalion from the U.S. 24 Infantry Division was airlifted to Osan, just south of Seoul, in support of South Korean forces (ROK). By mid-July four additional US battalions along with Major-General William F. Dean were re-enforcing the ROK forces and the U.S. battalion. On July 17th the Kum River Defensive line broke, during the battle Major-General William F. Dean disappeared and reported missing. It was discovered over a year later the he was captured by north Korea and was a POW until he's release on September 3, 1953.

By September 1950, the North Korean forces had captured almost all of South Korea. The UN forces established a defensive line about 50 miles around the city of Pusan. This was to become known as the Pusan perimeter. On September 15, UN forces speared-headed by the 1st US Marine and the 7th US Infantry Division conducted an amphibious landing at Inchon. On September 26, 1950, General MacArthur announced the recapture of Seoul.

Continuing the advance north, both ROK and UN forces crossed the 38th parrallel into North Korea. By October 19th, the 1st US Cavalry Division captured Pyongyang, North Korea's capitol. By late October, the 17th U.S. Infantry Regiment of the 7th US Infantry Division stood on the Yalu River, the border of China. On November 26th, China attacked with 4 Armies (estimated at 200,000 men). By December 1950, after heavy fighting, the UN forces were forced to withdraw south.

The withdrawal continued through mid-January 1951 ending south of the Han River. As a result Seoul was again captured by North Korean and China armed forces. March 7th, saw a UN luanch and attack called Operation Ripper. Seoul would be retaken on March 15th. By the end of the month, UN forces reached the 38th parrallel again.

Peace talks began in June 1951, establishing a military demarcation line and a demilitarized zone (DMZ). This lead to an initial cease-fire agreement being signed on November 27, 1951. However, it was not until July 27, 1953, that a truce agreement was signed. Thus establishing the border and the DMZ as we know it today.

However, this truce agreement did not end hostilities in Korea. The late 60s would see an increase of schirmishes between North Korea and the US and ROK forces. By the late 80s these schirmishes still occurred along the DMZ and inside of South Korea.