Korean War Effects

The Korean War tallied up to 2.5 million deaths both military and citizens. No one can deny that the Korean War was a large one that led to many lives lost on either side. But to this day both North and South haven’t signed a peace treaty instead they made an agreement to make the demilitarized zone to exchange prisoners. They are both technically at war with one another making 2017 the 67th year since the war started even though the fighting ended back in 1953. The Korean War was a war between North and South Korea hence the name. The war wasn’t just between the south and the north as the south was going to lose turning the whole country into one large country with the aid of Russia to pull this off. Russia aided the North in the training
of their military to more resemble their own military, as if this was bad on its own the North Korea has the higher amount of enlisted/ active military surpassing the South who’s military was small and weakened at the time. Not only did the Russians train the large army they also provided top of the line equipment that was greatly superior to the south. The south was doomed to lose until the US stepped in pushing the army back slightly but the US’s army wasn’t powerful enough to hold them back as they were under powered. But this is when the UN came in with large and well equipped armies commanded by the with one of the best commanders in Europe, Walton H. Walker, at the time also the ROKA which was commanded by Major General Chung II-kwon. With these two armies they fought with more success further pushing the north back.
They pushed the north so far back that they had returned to the 38th parallel, because of this China stated they would intervene if they pushed any further, but General MacArthur was full of confidence that they could destroy the remains of the northern army if they pushed past the parallel, so much confidence that he exclaimed that they would be done and home by Christmas. Believing that China was bluffing they made a decision that they would soon regret. They pushed past the 38th parallel only to be greeted by a massive Chinese army that consisted of over 180,000 troops that pushed the right flank of the eighth army pouring through a hole that separated the eighth army and the X corps. The troops of the UN were unfit for combat in this rogued terrain, the Chinese on the other hand were trained for this type of terrain and situation they easily nullified the superior fire power of the UN and force the army into a very costly headlong withdraw from the ground they had captured destroying the large camps and stored equipment the UN had left behind. The X corps had narrowly gotten out of the area by sea both sides suffering heavy casualties. General Walker had narrowly managed to gain control of the 38th in December, but that wouldn’t last long as the enemy on the first day of the New Year launched an all-out assault over the 38th parallel gaining the capital of Seoul. Sadly the great general Walker was killed in a jeep accident. His position was taken by another famous soldier that went by the name Matt, his full name being Matthew Bunker Ridgway. The Eighth army held back the enemy before realizing they weren’t as compelled to attack and fight, so General Ridgway launched an attack that consisted of strong armed reconnaissance and localized counter attacks to win back the key positions in South Korea. The main position being Seoul and the 38th parallel this operation went by the code name “Ripper” it was extremely successful at pushing the enemy back to the north finally ending in all Chinese and Korean troops retreating from the south. General MacArthur was declared to be the best general and overall soldier, but he over stepped his boundaries declaring to Truman that “the Chinese should be destroyed for being a sanctuary for communists, everything should be used to end this act even the use of nuclear weapons!” Truman acted in the best way and did what he thought was correct, the general acclaimed to be a god was sacked and removed from command being replaced by Ridgway, Ridgway’s position was taken by James A. Van Fleet. Truman declared after removing MacArthur “MacArthur left me no choice, I could no longer tolerate his insubordination.” The war continued on like nothing had occurred until on the 22 of April a radio station sponsored by the UN that there was a possibility of a cease fire being discussed with the north. General Ridgeway was instructed to send a letter to the commander of the opposing army. The letter read “I am informed that may wish a meeting to discuss an armistice, providing cessation of hostilities and all acts of armed force in Korea, with adequate guarantees for the maintenance of such an armistice. Upon recipient of word from you that a such meeting is desired, I shall be prepared to name my representatives. I propose that such a meeting could take place aboard a Danish hospital ship in Wonsan harbor.’ Peking replied the following day: ‘We have received your statement dated 30 June 1951, concerning your peace negotiations. Having been empowered to do so, we hereby declare that we agree to meet your representatives to negotiate peace in order to cease hostilities and restore peace. If you agree, our representatives will make preparations to meet your representatives between 10 and 15 July 1951.’ The reply was signed by General Kim T. Sung. The first meeting took place on the 8th of July 1951, the North Koreans clearly didn’t want the affair to go quickly as the used to time to extract propaganda value and other advantages. The north also used to time to build up the strength of their army once more. The meetings went on for 2 years before ending in the final armistice being signed in July 27 1953.
The lasting effects of the war are prominent in many ways.
Neither country will be the same after it the effects still prominent. The north has become a prominent military country with the largest amount of enlisted soldiers than any other country. This is because of their extremely strict laws making all eligible people enlisted no matter what meaning almost every single citizen being enlisted military personnel. The demilitarized zone was made In the 1950’s for the safe transportation of POW’s, the zone is still guarded 24/7 by both sides with soldiers standing 5 meters away from each other staring one another in the eyes for hours on end. North Korea has been made so closed off only one city is permitted to trade with foreigners nowhere else is
allowed.
Technically that war has ended but no peace treaty has been signed declaring the war being over.
No one even won the war as it is still going on and the armistice treaty was repudiated in 2013 by North Korea meaning at any moment either side could kick start the war once again. North Korea has even threatened the south and the United States with nuclear bombs but hasn’t taken action. The Korean War was an extremely bloody war that consisted of over 6 million soldiers and over a million death that of which included civilians. Who knows what North Korea will attempt to do to the south only the future will tell if they sign a peace treaty or they will finish what they
started.