한뉴픽

On June 25, 1950, the war broke out on the Korean peninsula as North Korean forces invaded South Korea. It continued for almost three years, claimed millions of victims, and divided the penisula into North Korea and South Korea. The war that shocked the Korean peninsula has been called “The Forgotten War” by the international society. This was because it received little attention relatively compared to other wars, including World War II. However, surviving vetrans during the Korean War never forgot what they had experienced and accomplished. The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. Thanks to the Korean War veterans who gave their lives in preparation for death, we maintain our peaceful daily lives.

The Korean War was not merely an armed conflict between North Korea and South Korea. In the Cold War, between the United States and the Soviet Union, which was formed after World War II, the Korean Peninsula became the first proxy war into battleground. South Korea was supported by the United States and the United Nations, while North Korea waged an all-out war under the auspices of the Soviet Union and China. In the early stage of the war, North Korean forces fell overwhelmingly on Seoul and marched front Nakdong River front. In response, the United States dispatched UN Forces in accordance with a United Nations Security Council resolution, and the Operation Chromite in September, 1950, led by General Douglas MacArthur who marked a sharp turnaround in the war. However, in October of the same year, the Communist Chinese army participate in the war, and it once again reached a deadlock. Thereafter, the Korean peninsula was reduce to ruins after numerous battles on the plateau and battles of attrition were repeatedly fought.
The ceasefire agreement, which was signed at Panmunjom, The Joint Security Area, on July 27, 1953, the war would also stop temporary but the agreement not a peace treaty. The Military Demarcation Line and DMZ(demilitarized zone) between North Korea and South Korea remained this day a symbol of the division. the reward for the war was extremly tragic. The death toll, including civilians, was estimated at over 3 million, such as numerous separated families, Both North Korea and South Korea experienced economic and social collapse. South Korea had to rebuild the country under a military regime in the decades as following, while North Korea formed a closed system for a country. The sudden division and separation from their families caused tremendous pains to the people.

The Korean War is often referred to as “The Forgotten War” in the West, including the United States and the United Nations. This means that it was a relatively unremembered war, sandwiched between World War II and the Vietnam War. Especially in American society, since the war ended with an “armistice” without a clear winner or loser, only political interest quickly faded away. The sacrifices of veterans were relatively unilluminated. In Korea, the Korean War also used as a tool for ideological conflict and political tools. There was a strong tendency to ignore the nature of the world people.

These days, the Korean War shed new light on textbooks, documentaries, and films. The Korean War is not merely an affair of the past. The division, the military confrontation, and the structure of foreign intervention left behind by this war are directly connected to the reality and ideology Korean Peninsula. Therefore, the Korean War is a war that should be remembered by all the people. It takes a part in simple history, but a starting point for reflection toward peace. The Korean peninsula is the only divided nation in the world. Recalling the memory of the war is not merely to repeat the pain. It is a collective responsibility and a historical obligation to prevent such a tragedy from occurring in the penisula. Thus, we should not forgot we need to remember successfully. Our works of not over. It going on now.

Choi Su Yeong / Reporter