China Involvement In The Korean War

The Korean War marked an important stage of the Cold War. It was a crucial moment in history when communism faced capitalism in a war front. In October of 1950, China intervened in the war only to increase the existing tension of the time. According to Michael Hickey, after Korea was independent from Japan by the end of WWII, it was split along the 38th parallel between North and South. Anti-communist US troops occupied the South and the Soviets the North. Stalin encouraged North Korea’s president, Kim II-sung, to invade South Korea with the attempt to reunify the country under his regime. In June of 1950, the NKPA (North Korean People’s Army) crossed the 38th parallel sweeping the capital of Seoul and occupying most of South Korea. US president
Once President Truman moved the seventh fleet into Taiwan Strait and announced naval support for the ROK, China was aware of US intentions and prepared for intervention if there was an invasion in North Korea (Cody K. Carlson). According to the scholarly article by Has Yufan and Thai Zhihai, the US broke its agreement with China when it crossed the 38th parallel, pushed over the 40th and then threw a bomb near the Yalu River, which they said would stay 40 miles away from (Hao Yufan and Zhai Zhihai, 103). China was in no position of trusting that Americans wouldn’t invade the country and were convinced the next target would be them. As soon as UN troops landed in Incheon on September 25 and crossed the 38th parallel, the PLA (People's Liberation Army) came with all forces to secure their territory and push UN troops back. Assisting the North Koreans prevented a US invasion, a possible WWIII and guaranteed China's safety. Indeed, Stalin promised to support China with military artillery and weapons to defend the Chinese borders during the war if CCP helped the North Koreans (Hao Yufan and Zhai Zhihai ,109). It was very important for the country to be allied with the Soviet Union during the war since it was suffering the consequences
This investigation explores China's real intentions by entering a war that took place beyond its territory. The motif to help the North Koreans for further influences in the country is a reason many overlook. That is since the country was being threatened and the most logical reaction is to secure their territory, instead of thinking of possible ways to retribute favors from the passed much less considering the critical situation of China's economy post war demobilization. The retribution to the country was perhaps a way to gain power to overthrow Kim II-sung in the August Incident of 1956, but still, there are no solid proofs that China would intervene North Korea once Kim II-sung stepped out of power. Moreover, China could also have intervened in the war to strengthen the CCP's regime. The Sino-Soviet Treaty allied China with the dominant communist powers of the world and helped the country strengthen domestic authority. The study is relevant as it presents the possible reasons Chinese entered the Korean War and perhaps changes the way people view their intervenience. Finally, all the factors that moved the country to make this decision should be considered when analysing China's intervention. Yet, it is important especially important to highlight the