At the end of World War II, the Korea peninsula was liberated from Japan and divided into a Communist half and an American-occupied South half, divided at the 38th parallel. The war began when the North Korea Communist Army, headed by Kim II-sung, supported and supplied by Russia, invaded the South Korea territory in a surprise attack. Meanwhile, the United States was engaged in a Cold War with Russia. The United Nations assigned the United States to intervene as part of a "police action" international peace-keeping force. The U.S. forces headed by General Arthur Mc Arthur were promptly pinned against the sea at Pusan, at the south of the peninsula. General Mc Arthur brilliantly managed to land at the port of Inchon, behind enemy lines, crushing the North Korean army and recapturing Seoul, the capital of South Korea. In his desire to win the war, Mc Arthur pursued the enemy across the 38th parallel to the Northernmost provinces of North Korea. Communist China sent an army to attack the invading forces from the South.
President Truman wanted the war ended quickly and avoid a confrontation with China. He asked Mc Arthur to stop his advances, but the General went against presidential orders. President Truman relieved General Mc Arthur of his command. This move was extremely unpopular in America and reinforced the aims of North Korea. Peace negotiations were held while the fighting was near the 38th parallel. The fighting continued through 1951 and 1952 and agreement was signed in 1953 stalemate.
The American intervention saved South Korea from collapse, but failed to defeat the Communist North Korea regime. Billions of dollars were spent on the war, estimated 2 - 3 million lives were lost. The war was stopped, but not ended. It taught a hard lesson: in efforts to avoid a nuclear war, America power has its limits.
The U.S. Congress finally approved in 1986 a memorial to the fallen in the war, over 33 years after the fighting stopped. The memorial finally was opened in 1995.
All Asia changed because of this war.
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