Korean Wat

Kim Il Sung – Communist dictator of North Korea (1948-1994), led the invasion of South Korea.

Syngman Rhee – First president of South Korea, strongly anti-communist.

capturing Seoul.

Pusan Perimeter (July-Sept. 1950) – UN forces, led by the U.S., made a last stand in southeastern South Korea.

Inchon – General MacArthur led a surprise amphibious attack, recapturing Seoul.

Battle of Chosin Reservoir – Brutal winter battle where U.S. Marines were surrounded by Chinese forces but successfully withdrew.

Armistice A ceasefire was declared, but no peace treaty was signed.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) – A heavily fortified border was established along the 38th Parallel.

Douglas MacArthur – U.S. General, led the Inchon Landing, later fired for insubordination.

Harry Truman – U.S. President during most of the war, supported South Korea, fired MacArthur.

Dwight D. Eisenhower – U.S. President (1953), helped negotiate the armistice.

38th Parallel – The dividing line between North and South Korea.

Seoul – The capital of South Korea, changed hands multiple times during the war.

Pyongyang – The capital of North Korea, briefly captured by UN forces.

Yalu River – The border between North Korea and China, where Chinese forces entered the war.