The Korean War: A Sudden Tragedy and the Beginning of UN Forces-South Korea Relations
The relationship between the United Nations and South Korea began when UN forces set foot on unfamiliar land to protect freedom
The United Nations flag used during the Korean WarUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
Maintaining international peace and security
The most important function of the United Nations (UN) is to maintain international peace and security. The effort to create one Korean state under the UN oversight was defeated by the Soviet Union. That led to two different regimes being formed. One supporting liberal democracy in the South, and communism in the North.
The Letter Between Kim Il Sung and StalinUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
Letter exchanges between Kim Il Sung and Stalin
Immediately upon the establishment of the North Korean regime, Kim Il Sung proposed to unify the Korean Peninsula by force. In March and September 1949, not long after the withdrawal of the Soviet troops, he declared his intention to invade the South to Stalin.
LIFE MagazineUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
Outbreak of the Korean War
At 4 a.m., June 25, 1950, North Korean forces, without any provocation by the South, launched an all-out attack, with field artillery and mortar shelling, on South Korea across the entire region around the 38th parallel in drizzling rain and fog and started a carefully preplanned surprise attack. By evening of the same day, North Koreans advanced from 20 to 40 kilometers on all fronts, and it took mere three days to occupy Seoul--the capital.
TIME Magazine – Cover of President Syng-man RheeUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
Rhee Syngman’s request for aid
President Rhee sent an autographed letter to President Truman, asking the US for immediate and effective aid. Chang Myon, the Korean ambassador to the United States, visiting President Truman at the White House with this letter, explained the war situation and entreated the US for aid.
The San Francisco NewsUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
From keeping peace to forcing it
The UN had been engaged in peace-keeping operations in Korea. However, as the core of the resolution set out, it started to engage in peace-forcing operations based on the UN Charter in participating in the Korean War as one of the combatants.
The resolution urging “North Korea to cease hostilities and withdraw back to the north of the 38th parallel” was adopted by the United Nations Security Council on June 25, 1950. The resolution was adopted just before 6 p.m., when the 473rd meeting ended. 9 voted in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Yugoslavia), and 1 was absent (Soviet Union)
The United Nations Security Council resolution was adopted on June 27, 1950, noting “the necessity of immediate military measures and the request of the UN members to furnish assistance to South Korea.” 7 voted in favor, 1 opposed (Yugoslavia), 2 abstained (Egypt, India), and 1 was absent (Soviet Union)
On July 7, 1950, representatives of the United States, France, and the United Kingdom requested the formation of a unified command of the UN forces, and the US forces were asked to designate its commander. This was then adopted by the United Nations Security Council. 7 voted in favor, 3 opposed (Egypt, India, Yugoslavia), and 1 was absent (Soviet Union)
On July 15, 1950, President Syng-man Rhee handed over the command of the South Korean military to General MacArthur.
Danish Red Cross membersUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
Brave heroes arriving in South Korea
To defend the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea, 16 countries dispatched combat units and six countries dispatched medical units. More than 1.95 million young men came to fight on the battlefields of the Korean Peninsula to help a country they hardly knew and whose people they have not even met.
Soldiers under UN forcesUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
Soldiers under the UN flag
For the ROK's Freedom and Peace!
Tank in Situ, Imjin RiverUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
Battle of Osan, the first engagement with the North Korean army by Smith Unit; Battle of the Nakdong River Defense Line, where a miraculous victory was achieved; Incheon Landing Operation that changed the momentum of the war; and Battle of Chosin Reservoir, where soldiers displayed extraordinary will to fight despite the extreme cold. The Republic of Korea survived these critical ordeals at the cost of the lives of the UN forces.
A marine, who returned to the US due to injury, waving to those departing for South KoreaUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
It is estimated that around 37,000 of the UN forces have died and around 113,000 were missing-in-action or injured during the Korean War that lasted from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953--1,129 days to be exact.
Soldier Eating Combat RationsUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
Rice gives strength!
Leisure activities in the midst of war
The UN Service Medal
This is a medal awarded by the UN to military members of nations that served in the Korean War. The word “Korea” and the UN emblem are carved on the front, and the phrase “For Service in Defence of the Principles of the Charter of the United Nations” is engraved on the back.
The Korean War Service Medal
This is a participation medal awarded to military members who participated in the Korean War, based on the 6.25 Incident Participation Medal Decree (Presidential Decree No. 390).
An employee tending to a childUnited Nations Peace Memorial Hall
UN, our best hope for freedom
The Korean War was the first war waged to restore peace under the single flag of the UN. Considering that there were 93 independent countries in the world at the time and that only 61 were UN member states, it could be said that 65% of the countries in the world took part in united efforts to fight for the freedom, peace, aid and restoration of the Republic of Korea.
