The UN Campaign in South Korea

What was the UN campaign in South Korea?

The UN's campaign in South Korea was to help the country's troops defend against the North Korean army, which had advanced quickly after its initial invasion on 25th June, 1950.

Who led the UN campaign in South Korea?

General Douglas MacArthur was appointed chief of the UN forces in Korea and led the campaign.

Where was the UN campaign in South Korea?

The UN campaign began around the city of Pusan, which the North Koreans had reached. UN troops then launched a surprise attack from the sea, at the port of Inchon on South Korea's west coast. This was 160 kilometres below the 38th parallel, where Korea was divided, and 40 kilometres from Seoul, the South Korean capital.

Why was the UN campaign in South Korea important?

The UN campaign was important if the South Koreans were to have any chance of pushing back North Korean forces, which had advanced quickly. It aimed to stop the complete collapse of South Korea and was also the first test of the USA's policy of containment in Asia.

When was the UN campaign in South Korea?

The UN launched its campaign to push back the North Korean army in September 1950.

What were the key events in the UN campaign in South Korea?

There were 7 key events in the UN campaign in South Korea:

• ❖ On 14th September, Kim II-Sung's forces had pushed the South Korean army back to the area around Pusan.
• ❖ UN troops were sent in to defend Pusan.
• ❖ On 15th September, UN troops began a surprise attack from the sea at Inchon, a port on South Korea's west coast.
• ❖ Inchon was swiftly captured by the UN army, which then launched an offensive inland to retake Seoul.
• ❖ While some UN forces focused on the offensive towards Seoul, the remaining UN troops and the South Korean army began advancing north from Pusan.
• ❖ Both armies - the troops advancing towards Seoul and those going north - moved towards each other and were able to attack Kim II-Sung's army from both sides.
• ❖ By October, the North Korean troops had retreated back behind the 38th parallel.

What were the results of the UN campaign in South Korea.

The UN campaign, sometimes known as the 'Inchon landings', was very successful. Its forces managed to capture the port of Inchon quickly, and were also able to retake Seoul and advance north. Within a month, North Korean troops had been completely driven out of South Korea.