What Caused the Korean War and Why Did the U.S. Get Involved?

Introduction

The Korean War (1950-1953) was a civil war that escalated into a proxy battle during the Cold War.
Began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea.
The conflict was rooted in the global clash between communism and democracy.

Korea was divided at the 38th parallel post-WWII between Soviet-supported North Korea and U.S.-supported South Korea.
Prior to this, Korea was a unified kingdom annexed by Japan in the early 20th century.

The division at the 38th parallel was arbitrary and did not match cultural or political boundaries.
Korea had multiple political factions, ranging from communism to right-wing nationalism.
The Soviets established a communist government in the North, while the U.S. helped set up an anti-communist government in the South.
North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, with Soviet and Chinese support, sought to unify Korea by force.

Initially hesitant, the U.S. entered the conflict due to:
- Soviet nuclear advancements and Cold War tensions.
- The fall of China to communism, raising fears of further communist expansion.
- NSC-68, a U.S. document advocating for increased defense against global communism.
President Truman ordered U.S. forces to support South Korea to contain communism and maintain alliances.
The U.S. intervention was not a formal declaration of war but a "police action."

Over 2.5 million people died, a significant number being civilians.
The Korean War armistice in 1953 established a demilitarized zone but did not result in a peace treaty.
The war influenced U.S. foreign policy, notably in Vietnam, and continues to affect U.S.-North Korea relations.

The Korean War is often termed "The Forgotten War," overshadowed by WWII and the Vietnam War.
It remains a significant historical event with lasting geopolitical implications.