Why the Korean War Began: 38th Parallel, Incheon Landing, China

Mapper Maniac

After World War II, Korea was split at the 38th parallel, with the North backed by the Soviet Union and the South supported by the United States. Tensions exploded on June 25th, 1950, when North Korea invaded the South in an effort to unite the Korean Peninsula under communism.  The war moved fast at first: South Korean forces were pushed back, then Douglas MacArthur’s Inchon landing helped turn the tide. United States soldiers and South Korean troops drove the North back toward the Chinese border, but China entered the war in October 1950 and forced the front back to the 38th parallel. Fighting then dragged on for three more years, with both sides locked in a brutal stalemate.  On July 27th, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, but no peace treaty ever ended the conflict. That is why the Korean War is still technically ongoing today.  Created for viewers searching for Korean War history, military history, Cold War conflict, and simple history explanations, this narrated map-style summary is useful for students, revision, and anyone wanting a clear overview of why the Korean War happened and how the armistice left the war unresolved.

Transcript

00:00Why did the Korean War happen?

00:02After World War II ended, Korea was split at the 38th parallel,

00:06the North supported by the Soviet Union and the South by the United States.

00:10However, on June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded the South,

00:15since Kim Il-sung wanted to unite the whole Korean peninsula under communism.

00:19They managed to push South Koreans all the way back in less than two months.

00:22However, with Douglas MacArthur commanding the Incheon Landing,

00:26South Korean army and the United States soldiers managed to push Soviets and the North Koreans back,

00:31and in just two months, they were already near the Chinese border.

00:34In October 1950, China would join the war,

00:37and they would push South Koreans back all the way to the 38th parallel.

00:42For the next three years, the war would rage on, both armies not moving far from the 38th parallel.

00:48On July 27, 1953, both parties agreed to sign the Korean Armistice Agreement.

00:54However, even today, the war is still technically ongoing, since no peace has ever been signed.

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