The Korean War and UN Forces
Learn about the involvement of the United Nations Command in the Korean War through the National Archives
North Korean Soldiers Crossing the Han River After the Invasion (1950) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
A surprise invasion by North Korean forces into South Korea
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces launched a surprise invasion across the 38th parallel, attacking the Republic of Korea.
General Douglas MacArthur, First Commander of the UN Command, Receiving the UN Flag (1951) by UNNational Archives of Korea
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), established in 1946 to maintain international peace and security, swiftly condemned North Korea’s invasion and resolved to intervene immediately.
General Douglas MacArthur was appointed as the Commander of the United Nations Command (UNC) to lead the fight against the North Korean army. The man on the right is General Douglas MacArthur.
President Syngman Rhee’s Memo on Transferring Command of the ROK Military President Syngman Rhee’s Memo on Transferring Command of the ROK Military (1950) by Ministry of Foreign AffairsNational Archives of Korea
Syngman Rhee's Memo on Transferring Korea Military Command
President Syngman Rhee of the Republic of Korea (ROK) transferred operational command of the ROK military to General MacArthur, Commander of the UN Command (UNC).
President Syngman Rhee’s Memo on Transferring Command of the ROK Military General MacArthur's Response to President Syngman Rhee's Memo (1950) by Ministry of Foreign AffairsNational Archives of Korea
In response, General MacArthur accepted the transfer and sent a reply expressing his confidence in the victory of the UN and ROK forces. The UN and ROK forces fought together to protect the freedom of Korea.
United Nations Day Event (1951) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
The 16 countries that sent combat troops to fight in the Korean War were the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Turkey, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Netherlands, Columbia, Greece, New Zealand, Ethiopia, France, Belgium, South Africa and Luxemburg.
UN Command Attending a United Nations Day Event (1951) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
The six nations of Sweden, India, Denmark, Norway, Italy, and West Germany provided medical support. In addition, 38 other countries sent supplies, and three countries were willing to provide aid.
National Flags of the UN Multinational Forces (1951) by UNNational Archives of Korea
The UN’s intervention in the Korean War marked a milestone as its first collective military action. The UN joined the Korean War to uphold its charter of maintaining international peace.
Memorial Service at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) (1952) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
Approximately 1.95 million soldiers under the UN Command served in the Korean War. The total casualties included 40,732 killed, 103,460 wounded, 3,950 missing, and 5,817 prisoners of war, amounting to 153,959 casualties over time.
UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) (1952) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
This is a cemetery located in Busan, Republic of Korea, for UN soldiers who lost their lives.
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Currently, over 2,300 Korean War veterans are laid to rest here. It also includes the graves of veterans who wished to be laid to rest beside their fellow soldiers after the war.
Revisit Korea Program for UN Veterans (Imjingak Memorial) (1952) by Ministry of Patriots and Veterans AffairsNational Archives of Korea
The Republic of Korea government has designated November 11 as UN Veterans International Memorial Day. It continues to honor Korean War veterans and their families through various events, including sponsored visits to the ROK, as well as the presentation of medals and awards.
Continue to look at the stories about the U.S. and UN aid and medical support and the ROK-U.S. mutual defense.
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