Korean War: A Forgotten War

Yunchul Son

Mrs. French

English III

20 October 2015

A Forgotten War

The Korean War is widely known by name, but the actual details remain in obscurity, resulting in the sobriquet, “The Forgotten War”; however the results of the war that takes place between these two small countries lead to important roles, only to be understood by learning the events leading up to the conflict, the war itself, and the aftereffects. But before getting into the details of the war, a short lesson on how these two nations once were is adequate, even uncovering some surprising details. Throughout 918-1392, Korea was attacked by her aggressive neighbors. When China fell to the Mongols, they would turn their attention towards Korea, invading in 1231. The royal

Neo-Confucianism was introduced to Korea leading to the decline in Buddhism and finally replacing Buddhism when Yi Seong-gye took over the monarchy. Japan would invade Korea twice during the 15th century, but would always withdraw. Korea would adopt a policy of extreme isolation because of these aggressive attacks from foreign countries, even attacking U.S. ships. Finally, Japan would take-over Korea during WWII and with the end of the second great war, Korea would be left to be molded by the U.S. and the Svoiets.

After the end of WWII and the victory of the Allies, ideas were presented to the United States and the Soviet Union as to what could be done with Korea. Ideas for a unified government and country for Korea were both agreed on, but after 2 years of disagreement between the U.S. and U.S.S.R., two different governments formed, burying the idea of unification at the time. This finally led to Korea being split between the Soviet Union and the United States along the 38th parallel. The United

to change their goals for the war. Originally, America only wanted to defend the South, but with how the tides were looking, they would follow MacArthur's idea of unifying Korea and pursuing the NKPA across the 38th parallel. Their only fear was that there might be an intervention from China, something that the American government did not want to deal with. With MacArthur reassuring them that there were no sightings or danger of Chinese or Soviet intervention, they would allow him to cross the border in his goal for unification. Contradictory to what he assured to Congress, after the North was pushed back Mao, feeling that his country and Communistic ideologies were threatened by the Americans, would send one of his men, Zhou, to make a bargain with the Soviets. A bargain was struck and China's army of 300,00, the CPV, would be sighted along the borders of N.K. along with warnings from China to MacArthur. Enticed by a complete victory, he would ignore them and press on. The CV poorly equipped but well hardened from experience, would resort to guerilla warfare to attack and sabotage ROK forces. Signaled by the sound of bugles, drums, and megaphones they would surround and disintegrate whole divisions. These sounds were much feared by soldiers, as stated by Corporal Arthur Koch:

"It was enough to make your hand stand on end.. When the bugle died away we heard a voice through a megaphone