Korean conflict 1950-1953 gg .: reasons, history. What is the essence of the Korean conflict?

To date, there are not so many large military conflicts in the world that were not "de facto" finished, left in the "cold" phase. The category of exceptions is unless the military confrontation between the USSR and Japan, a peace treaty on which has not yet been signed, as well as the Korean conflict. Yes, in 1953, both sides signed a "truce", but both Koreas are treated with slight disdain. In fact, the two countries are still at war.

It is generally believed that the intervention of the USSR and the US was the main cause of the war, but this was somewhat wrong, because the internal situation on the peninsula was very unstable by that time. The fact is that the artificial demarcation, which was held not long before, actually cut the country in half, and everything was even worse than in the situation with West and East Germany.

What were the two Koreas before the conflict began?

Many still believe that the northerners suddenly and unmotivated attacked the southerners, although this is far from the case. In South Korea, at that time, President Lee Seung-man ruled. He lived for a long time in the USA, spoke excellent English, although the Korean language was difficult for him, he was not at all a puppet of Americans, and even was openly despised by the White House. For this there were all grounds: Li Son in all seriousness considered himself the "messiah" of the entire Korean people, was irresistibly eager for battle and constantly asked for the supply of offensive weapons. The Americans did not hurry to help him, because they did not want to get into an unpromising Korean conflict, which at that time did not give them anything useful.

The "Messiah" also did not use the support of the people. The leftist parties in the government were very strong. So, in 1948, an entire army regiment rebelled, and the island of Jeju for a long time "preached" communist convictions. This cost a lot to its residents: as a result of the suppression of the uprising, almost one in four died. Strange as it may seem, all this happened practically without the knowledge of Moscow or Washington, although they unequivocally believed that the "damned commies" or "imperialists" were to blame. In fact, everything that happened was an internal affair of the Koreans themselves.

Deterioration of the situation

Throughout 1949, the situation on the borders of the two Koreas strongly resembled the fronts of the First World War, as the incidents of provocations and open hostilities occurred daily. Contrary to the popular views of "experts", most often in the role of the aggressor were the southerners. And that's why even Western historians admit that on June 25, 1950, the Korean conflict was expected to turn into a hot phase.

About the leadership of the North, we should also say a few words. We all remember the "great helmsman," that is, Kim Il Sung. But only in the times we described, his role was not so great. In general, the situation reminded the Soviet Union of the 1920s: Lenin was then a significant figure, but Bukharin, Trotsky and other figures also had a huge weight in the political arena. Comparison, of course, a rough, but a general understanding of what is happening in North Korea, it gives. So, the history of the Korean conflict ... Why did the Union decide to take an active part in it?

Why did the USSR intervene in the conflict?

On the part of the Communists of the North, Pak Hong Yong, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and, in fact, the second person in the country and the Communist Party, acted as the "messiah". By the way, it was formed immediately after liberation from the Japanese occupation, and the legendary Kim Il Sung still lived in the USSR. However, Pak himself in the 30's also had time to live in the Union and, moreover, had influential friends there. This fact and served as the main reason for our country's involvement in the war.

Pak swore to assure the leadership of the USSR that in case of an attack no less than 200,000 "South Korean Communists" would immediately move into a decisive offensive ... and the criminal puppet regime would immediately fall. At the same time, it is important to understand that there was no existing residence in the Soviet Union in those parts, and therefore all decisions were made on the basis of Pak's words and opinions. This is one of the most important reasons why the history of the Korean conflict is inextricably linked with the history of our country.

Long enough Washington, Beijing and Moscow preferred not to interfere at all directly, although Comrade Kim Il Sung literally bombarded Beijing and Moscow with requests to help him on his way to Seoul. It should be noted that on September 24, 1949, the Defense Ministry assessed the proposed plan as "unsatisfactory", in which the military fully supported the Plenum of the CPSU Central Committee. In the document, it was said in the open text that "it is clearly not worth counting on a quick victory, and even breaking down the enemy's resistance will not be able to prevent massive economic and political problems." China responded even more sharply and more specifically. But in 1950 the required permission was received by Pakom. So the Korean conflict began ...

What caused Moscow to change its decision?

It may very well be that the positive decision was influenced in one way or another by the emergence of the PRC as a new, independent state. The Chinese could help the Korean neighbors, but they had their own problems, the civil war had just stopped in the country. So in this situation it was easier to convince the USSR that the "blitzkrieg" would be completely successful.

Now everyone knows that the United States in many ways also provoked the Korean conflict. The reasons for this we also understand, but in those days it was far from obvious. All Koreans knew that Americans strongly dislike the Son of Man. He was well acquainted with some Republicans in the Parliament, but Democrats, who already played the "first violin", quite openly called Lee Son "the old marasmatic".

In a word, this man was a sort of "suitcase without a handle" for Americans, which is terribly inconvenient to drag, but it is also not worth throwing. The Kuomintang was defeated in China, too: the United States did not do much to openly support Taiwanese radicals, and they were far more necessary than any "marasmatic". So the conclusion was simple: they will not interfere in the Korean conflict. The reasons for their active participation in them were not (hypothetically).

In addition, Korea had by then been officially removed from the list of countries that the Americans pledged to defend in the event of an unexpected third-party aggression. Finally, on the world map of those times there were enough points in which the Kommi could strike. West Berlin, Greece, Turkey and Iran - in the opinion of the CIA, all these places could provoke far more dangerous consequences for US geopolitical interests.

What made Washington intervene

Unfortunately, Soviet analysts were seriously mistaken, without thinking, at what time the Korean conflict occurred. Truman was the president, and he was very serious about the "communist threat", and saw any successes of the USSR as his own insult. He believed in the doctrine of deterrence, and also in pennies did not put a weak and puppet UN. In addition, the mood in the United States was similar: politicians should be tough not to be branded as slogans and not to lose support for the electorate.

One can speculate for a long time about whether the northerners would support the USSR if they knew about a real lack of support from the "Southern Communists", as well as about direct intervention by America. In principle, things could have happened in the same way, but on the contrary: Lee Son of Man could "finish off" the CIA, the Yankees would send their advisers and troops, as a result of which the Union would have to interfere ... But history does not tolerate a subjunctive mood. What happened happened.

So, how did the Korean conflict arise (1950-1953)? The reasons are simple: there are two Koreas, North and South. Every person is ruled by a man who considers it his duty to reunify the country. Everyone has their own "patrons": the USSR and the USA, who, for whatever reasons, do not want to interfere. China would be happy to intervene to expand its possessions, but there are still no forces, and the army has no normal combat experience. This is the essence of the Korean conflict ... The rulers of Korea are doing everything possible to get help. They receive it, as a result of which the war begins. Everyone pursues their own interests.

How it all began?

In what year happened the Korean conflict? On June 25, 1950, the Juche troops crossed the border and entered the battle on the run. Resistance to the corrupt and weak army of southerners they almost did not notice. Three days later Seoul was taken, and at the moment when the northerners were marching through its streets, the victorious South communications were broadcast on the radio: the "communes" were running, the armies were moving to Pyongyang.

After the seizure of the capital, the northerners began to wait for Pak's promised rebellion. But he was not there, and so he had to fight seriously, with the troops of the UN, Americans and their allies. The UN manual quickly ratified the document "On the establishment of order and the expulsion of the aggressor", the commander put General D. MacArthur. The representative of the USSR at that time boycotted the UN meetings because of the presence of the Taiwan delegation there, so everything was calculated correctly: no one could impose the veto. This is how the internal civil conflict has grown into an international conflict (which is still common today).

As for Pak, who created this mess and brewed it, after the failed "uprising" he and his faction lost all influence, and then it was simply eliminated. Formally, the verdict provided for the shooting for "espionage in favor of the United States," but in fact he simply framed Kim Il Sung and the leadership of the USSR, dragging them into an unnecessary war. The Korean conflict, the date of which is now known all over the world, is another reminder that interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states is completely unacceptable, especially if the interests of third parties are being prosecuted.

Successes and failures

Known defense of the Busan perimeter: the Americans with southerners retreated under the blows of Pyongyang and strengthened on well-equipped lines. The training of the northerners was beautiful, the Americans, who perfectly remembered the capabilities of the T-34, which they were armed with, did not want to fight with them, leaving positions at the first opportunity.

But General Walker, with the help of tough measures (he himself ran along the trenches, showing the combat use of the "bazookas") managed to straighten out the situation, and the northerners simply were not ready for a prolonged war. The grandiose front line devoured all the resources, the tanks were coming to an end, and serious problems arose with the supply of troops. In addition, it is worth paying tribute to the American pilots: they had excellent cars, so the question of air superiority did not stand.

Finally, not the most eminent but quite experienced strategist, General D. MacArthur managed to develop the plan of landing in Incheon. This is the western tip of the Korean peninsula. In principle, the venture was extremely wild, but MacArthur, at the expense of his charisma, nevertheless insisted on the implementation of his plan. He had that "flair" that sometimes worked.

On September 15, the Americans managed to land and after a fierce battle they were able to repel Seoul in two weeks. This marked the beginning of the second phase of the war. By early October, the northerners had completely abandoned the territory of the southerners. Those decided not to miss their chance: by October 15, they had already seized half of the territory of the enemy, whose army was simply exhausted.

The Chinese come into play

But then China's patience broke out: the Americans and their "wards" crossed the 38th parallel, and this was a direct threat to Chinese sovereignty. To give direct access to their US borders? Such it was impossible to imagine. The Chinese "small detachments" of General Peng Dehuai joined the battle.

They repeatedly warned about the possibility of their participation, but MacArthur did not react to the notes of protest. By that time, he openly ignored the orders of the leadership, as he considered himself a kind of "appanage prince". Thus, Taiwan was forced to accept it according to the protocol of meetings of the heads of state. Finally, he repeatedly stated that he would arrange a "great slaughter" for the Chinese if they "dare interfere". Such insults in the PRC could not be lowered. So when did the Korean conflict happen involving the Chinese?

On October 19, 1950, "voluntary associations" entered Korea. Since MacArthur did not expect anything of the kind, by October 25 they completely liberated the territory of the northerners and dared the resistance of the UN troops and the Americans. Thus began the third stage of military operations. On some sections of the front, UN troops simply fled, and somewhere up to the end they defended their positions, systematically retreating. January 4, 1951, Seoul was again occupied. The Korean conflict of 1950-1953 continued to gain momentum.

Successes and failures

By the end of the same month, the offensive had again slowed down. By the time General Walker was dead, he was replaced by M. Ridgeway. He began to use the strategy of "meat grinder": the Americans began to consolidate themselves on the dominant heights and simply waited for the Chinese to occupy all other locations. When this happened, MLRS and aviation were launched, burning out positions occupied by the northerners.

A number of major successes allowed the Americans to launch a counteroffensive and the second time to repel Seoul. By April 11, D. MacArthur was removed from the post of commander-in-chief due to the obsession with nuclear bombing. He was replaced by M. Ridgway, mentioned above. However, by the time the "fuse" ended and the UN troops: they did not repeat the march to Pyongyang, and the northerners have already managed to supply arms and stabilize the front line. The war has acquired a positional character. But the Korean conflict of 1950-1953. Continued.

Completion of hostilities

It became clear to everyone that there is simply no other way to resolve the conflict, in addition to the peace treaty. June 23, the USSR called for an end to the fire at the UN meeting. November 27, 1951 have already agreed on the establishment of a demarcation line and the exchange of prisoners, but then again intervened Lee Seung Man, who fervently advocated the continuation of the war.

He actively used the disagreements that arise in matters of the exchange of prisoners. Under normal conditions, they change according to the principle "all for all". But here there were difficulties: the fact is that all parties to the conflict (North, South and China) actively used forced recruitment, and the soldiers simply did not want to fight. At least half of all prisoners simply refused to return to the "place of residence".

Son Man practically broke the negotiation process, simply ordering the release of all "refuseniks." In general, by the time he was so fed up with the Americans that the CIA had even started planning an operation to remove him from power. In general, the Korean conflict (1950-1953), in short, is an ideal example of how the government of the country sabotages peace negotiations in its own interests.

On July 27, 1953, representatives of the DPRK, AKDN and UN troops (representatives of South Korea refused to sign the document) signed a ceasefire agreement according to which the demarcation line between North and South Korea was established approximately along the 38th parallel, and on both sides around it A demilitarized zone with a width of 4 km is formed. This is how the Korean conflict occurred (1950-1953), the brief content of which you saw on the pages of this article.

The result of the war - more than 80% of the total housing stock on the Korean peninsula is destroyed, more than 70% of all production facilities are disabled. Real losses are still unknown, since each side greatly overstates the number of dead opponents and minimizes its losses. Despite this, it is clear that the conflict in Korea is one of the most bloody wars in modern history. All sides of that confrontation agree that this should not be repeated.