Events of the Korean War

• When did North Korea invade South Korea?

  June 25, 1950
• What action did the UNSC take on June 27, 1950?

  Condemned North Korea's aggression
• Why was the UNSC resolution possible on June 27, 1950?

  The Soviet Union was boycotting the UNSC
• What did U.S. President Truman order on June 27, 1950?

  American air and naval forces to aid South Korea
• What happened on June 28, 1950?

  North Korean forces captured Seoul
• What was the outcome of the Battle of Osan on July 5, 1950?

  U.S. forces suffered significant losses
• Which city did North Korean forces capture on July 20, 1950?

  Taejon
• What was the Pusan Perimeter?

  • A 140 km defensive line
  • Formed by UN and South Korean forces
  • Located in southeastern Korea
  • Last major stronghold for South Korea
• How long did UN forces hold off North Korean attacks around Pusan?

  Six weeks
• What mistake did North Korea make during the battle of Pusan Perimeter?

  They split their army into four parts
• When did General MacArthur launch the landing at Inchon?

  September 15, 1950
• What was the effect of the Inchon landing on North Korean forces?

  It caught them off guard and split their forces
• When did UN forces recapture Seoul after the Inchon landing?

  September 19-28, 1950
• What was the goal of UN forces after crossing the 38th parallel on October 1, 1950?

  To unify the peninsula under South Korean leadership
• What city did UN forces capture on October 19, 1950?

  Pyongyang
• What warning did China give to the UN forces in October 1950?

  To stop their advance or face intervention
• What was MacArthur's belief regarding China's warning?

  He thought China was bluffing
• When did Chinese troops join the war on the side of North Korea?

  Late October 1950
• What was the outcome of the New Year’s offensive in January 1951?

  UN forces were pushed south of the 38th parallel
• When did Seoul fall to communist forces for the second time?

  January 4, 1951
• What was the aim of Operation Ripper launched on March 7, 1951?

  To retake Seoul and push back communist forces
• When did UN forces recapture Seoul for the second time?

  March 14, 1951
• What did MacArthur order in early April 1951?

  To invade North Korea
• Why was General MacArthur dismissed on April 11, 1951?

  For disobeying Truman's orders
• What was the outcome of the Chinese offensive on April 22, 1951?

  It stalled due to UN resistance
• When did Chinese forces launch another assault in May 1951?

  May 16-20, 1951
• What was the situation by June 1951 along the 38th parallel?

  Both sides were entrenched with no breakthroughs
• What did the Soviet Union propose on June 23, 1951?

  Ceasefire negotiations
• What characterized the stalemate from June 1951 onwards?

  • Resembled World War I trench warfare
  • Soldiers lived in bunkers
  • Daily artillery shelling and skirmishes
  • High civilian casualties from airstrikes
• When did ceasefire negotiations begin?

  July 1951
• What was the outcome of Stalin's death in March 1953?

  North Koreans and Chinese lost confidence
• When was the peace treaty signed?

  July 27, 1953