The Forgotten War Section 3 (Part 2)

Korean Occupation Ends The end of WWII ends the Japanese occupation of Korea. The Soviet Union and the United States divide Korea at the 38th Parallel of latitude. The Parallel was the latitudinal line that split Korea into two sections (North and South).

38th Parallel Rhee Syngman Sung Kim Il

Stage 1: North Korea attacks June 25, 1950 Kim Il Sung's North Korean army crossed the 38th parallel. The U.N. force made of mostly Americans and South Koreans are pushed back.

Stage 1: North Korea attacks

Stage 2: Americans pushed to the Pusan Perimeter The Northern Army pushed the U.N. force to the Pusan Perimeter. Pusan was the port city where Sung’s Northern army was stopped by General Douglas MacArthur.

Stage 3: Inchon The UN then landed troops on the port of Inchon. The U.N. was able to cut off the North Korean army’s supply line.

The Inchon Takeover

Stage 4: Approaching the Yalu The U.N. reclaims South Korea and pushed back the Northern Army. The UN army pushed Sung’s Northern army to the Yalu River.

Stage 5: An entirely new war The Northern Army’s retreat made the Chinese nervous. The Chinese sent hundreds of thousands of soldiers to help the Northern Army. China claims Seoul.

China Enters the War

Stage 6: Stalemate The U.N. reclaims Seoul. In 1953, both sides reach an armistice after reaching a stalemate.

Creating a Demilitarized Zone. A demilitarized zone is an area where no military forces can enter.

Demilitarized Zone