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Korean Division
"An agreement following the end of World War II divides Korea - formerly annexed by Axis power Japan - into U.S. and Soviet occupation zones along the 38th Parallel. The split keeps the country's original capital city, Seoul, in the south."
-CBS News -
Truman Doctrine
Current U.S President Harry S. Truman presents his "Truman Doctrine," pledging American aid and assistance to any nation that is threatened by Communist rule. -
North Korean People's Army
"North Korean People's Army (NK) officially activated."
-Bert Kortegaard -
Syngman Rhee Elected
"In the Republic of Korea (ROK), the U.S-backed, 70-year-old Korean expatriate Syngman Rhee is elected chairman of the Korean Assembly, and later becomes president."
-CBS News -
Republic of Korea
Syngman Rhee's administration of South Korea officially becomes the Republic of Korea. -
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Communist led North Korean officially becomes the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. -
Condemnation of North Korea
The US and UN unanimously condemn North Korea. North Korea broke article 32 of the UN Charter. -
Korean War Begins
"After a year of military provocations by both sides along the 38th Parallel, North Korea sends an invasion force into South Korea. Northern forces overwhelm the ill-equipped defenders and capture Seoul in three days. The United Nations condemns the attack and creates a "police" force to help defend South Korea."
-CBS News -
Period: to
Korean War
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Capture of Seoul
North Korea Captures Seoul, the South Korean capital. -
China Enters
China becomes involved in the Korean War. -
Pyongyang Caputered
"U.N. forces capture the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, which sits 90 miles northwest of the 38th Parallel."
-CBS News -
Atomic Threats
"U.S. President Harry S. Truman threatens to use the atomic bomb against the communist Chinese forces. By April 5 of the next year, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered atomic retaliation against Soviet and Chinese bases if more communist troops entered the war."
-CBS News -
Seoul Recaptured
"The South Korean capital of Seoul changes hands for the last time as U.N. troops recapture the battered city. MacArthur's army advances slightly north of the 38th Parallel."
-CBS News -
MacArthur Dismissed
"Because of their disagreement in how to militarily handle the Korean War, U.S. Truman recalls MacArthur as commander of the U.N. forces and U.S. Gen. Matthew Ridgeway is given command."
-CBS News "I fired him because he wouldn’t respect the authority of the President… I didn’t fire him because he was dumb, although he was, but that’s not against the law for generals. If it was, half to three-quarters of them would be in jail." –Harry S. Truman quoted in TIME magazine -
Truce Talks Begin
"Truce talks begin at Kaesong near the 38th Parallel. The talks, led by U.S. Vice Admiral C. Turner Joy for the U.N. side and Lt. Gen. Nam Il of North Korea, drag on with no real agreements on an armistice and the exchange of prisoners. The truce site is moved the village of Panmunjom."
-CBS News -
Stalemate
"The war along the 38th Parallel becomes a stalemate reminiscent of trench warfare fought in World War I. The pattern of bloody fighting with no real capturing of territory continues for the next two years as peace talks repeatedly fail."
-CBS News -
Exchange POWs #1
United Nations propose to exchange Prisoners of War. -
Exchange POWs #2
"POW Exchange Proposal rejected by Communists."
-Bert Kortegaard -
Truce Talks Cease
"Talks at Panmunjom deadlock and are recessed. U.S. planes bomb the North Korean capital Pyongyang for two straight months and talks are resumed the following March."
-CBS News -
Presidential Elections
After being elected, Dwight D. Eisenhower travels to Korean to join in the peace negotiations. -
Korean Armistice
"The U.N., North Korea and China sign an armistice agreement, continuing the division of Korea. South Korea refuses to sign. The agreement calls for 2.5-mile wide buffer zone across the middle of Korean Peninsula that closely follows the 38h Parallel."
-CBS News -
POWs Exchange #3
Repatriation of POWs begins. -
Operation Glory
Operation Glory takes place (the exchanging of the Korea's deceased).