KOREAN WAR
1950 - 1953
 

The Korean War was fought from June 1950 until July 1953. 

Who fought?
North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) vs. South Korea (Republic of Korea).

The Soviet Union and China allied with North Korea.

The United Nations allied with South Korea.

The United Nations contingent mainly consisted of troops from the United States, but also from Britain, Canada, Australia, Colombia, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Turkey, the Philippines, and others.

BACKGROUND OF THE KOREAN WAR
In 1910, Korea was annexed to Japan. When Japan lost World War II, the allies decided to divide Korea at the 38th parallel. The date? August 1945.

The north was occupied by the USSR and the south by the USA.

The north was organized as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea under Kim Il-Sung. The south was organized as the Republic of Korea under Rhee Syngman.

WHAT STARTED THE KOREAN WAR ?
On June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. US President Harry S. Truman dispatched troops, led by General Douglas MacArthur, to aid South Korea. China then dispatched troops to aid the North.

WHAT ENDED THE KOREAN WAR ?
In 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower became US president.

Also in 1953, the leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, died. The USSR withdrew from North Korea.

On July 27, 1953, the Panmunjom Armistice (P'anmunjom Peace) ended the Korean War. The agreement was signed by representatives of the UN, of North Korea, and of China.

HOW MANY VICTIMS DID THE KOREAN WAR CLAIM?
Estimates start with 2.5 million.

Other sources estimate that three million Koreans, military and civilian, were killed and approx. 900,000 Chinese and more than 33,000 American troops.

BATTLES OF THE KOREAN WAR
April 22-25, 1951 - Battle of Imjin River - North Korean victory

And here is the map

Korean War: Central Korea 1951-1953

Korean War Timeline

Check the costs of major US wars in comparison.