The Course of the Korean War
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 5.1.3
The Course of the Korean War
The Korean War (1950-1953) involved four phases: South's liberation, UN invasion northward, Chinese counterattack, and a stalemate leading to peace talks.
Phase 1: Liberating the South
- North Korean forces attacked South Korea on 25 June 1950.
- The United Nations, led by the USA, supported South Korea.
- UN troops helped South Korea push North Korean forces back.
- The South's liberation marked the first phase, ending by September 1950.
Phase 2: UN invasion
- General MacArthur led the UN forces into North Korea in October 1950.
- UN troops advanced towards the Yalu River, the Chinese border.
- The UN aimed to reunite Korea under South Korean control.
- This phase showed UN success before Chinese intervention.
Phase 3: Chinese counterattack
- China entered the war in late October 1950, sending hundreds of thousands of troops.
- Chinese forces pushed the UN back into South Korea.
- This counterattack reversed UN gains and caused heavy casualties.
- Fighting shifted southwards, showing the war's changing tide.
Phase 4: Peace talks
- From mid-1951, the front stabilized near the 38th parallel.
- Neither side gained significant ground.
- The UN and North Korea began peace talks in July 1951.
- Fighting continued despite talks until 1953.
End of the war
- The Korean Armistice Agreement was signed on 27 July 1953.
- The agreement created a Demilitarized Zone near the 38th parallel.
- The war ended without a formal peace treaty.
- Korea remained divided into North and South nations.
Test yourself on The Course of the Korean War
What triggered the start of the Korean War in 1950?
What was the impact of China’s intervention in the war?