Russian trained communist troops poured across the 38th parallel to invade South Korea. This was a pivotal moment for the Cold War as Communist expansion took a more aggressive turn.
It was a shining moment for the United Nations as the Security Council condemned the invasion and authorized member nations to supply troops to repel the invasion. It was the last shining moment for the United Nations. It was only made possible because the Soviet Union had boycotted the Security Council and hence did not use their veto.(a mistake they would not repeat) One lasting legacy of the Korean war were the endless vetoes that prevented the Security Council from becoming anything more than a debating society.
Member nations (led by the United States) poured troops into South Korea and held the North Korean advance around the southern port of Pusan. The Pusan perimeter held until General McArthur outflanked the enemy by landing at Inchon and cutting off supply lines. The North Koreans collapsed and the Allies pushed the remaining communist troops to the Yalu river. At this point Communist China entered the war and pushed the allies back to the present DMZ. Stalemate ensued for 2 years before an armistice was signed.
It was during this war that my mother's family escaped the north. My grandmother fled the north with my mother and uncle. She was separated from my grandfather at the time. Unlike so many other families who were never reunited, the found each other after the war and settled in Seoul. However like so many families, my grandmother left behind 6 brothers in the north. She lived the rest of her life never knowing what happened to them.
It is a strange feeling watching the North Korean team at the World Cup. I can't cheer for them but it has occurred to me that one of my cousins could be playing for the North.
During a visit to Wolseley barrack in London, Ontario, I read the Honour Roll of members of the Royal Canadian Regiment who fell in Korea. I was deeply moved that they gave their lives in a far away land for a people they did not know. I enrolled shortly thereafter.
It is always controversial when troops are sent to fight in foreign wars. Many have forgotten that conscription to fight Hitler nearly tore Canada apart as English Canada voted to send troops to Europe while Quebec voted against. The ultimate worth of the sacrifice of our young men is often not readily apparent. I'm sure that it was not universally popular amongst Canadians to send our soldiers to Korea.
I don't know if its enough that Korea is now the world's 8th largest economy and a vibrant trading partner for Canada. Korea hasn't always been a truly democratic nation in the aftermath of the war but is now so. I don't know if that is enough to justify the sacrifice.
Koreans sent troops to Vietnam to assist in a very similar struggle. The President of Korea wrote an op ed piece today expressing gratitude for the sacrifice of 60 years ago.
The truth is that the worth of a sacrifice cannot (should not) be measured in balance of trade figures. Ultimately history will judge whether the struggle was worthy or not. History's yardstick is not always consistent and may use different standards.
All I can say now is that i'm grateful that the world stood up against aggression and restored freedom to a small and insignificant country far away from here. The people who were liberated live in prosperity and freedom today. The people who lived north of the 38th parallel live lives filled with desperation and starvation.
Though the war ended in stalemate resulting in divided families and a nation torn asunder, the contrast is unmistakable and may provide the greater lesson to history:
Communism is an evil ideology and fighting it was worthwhile.
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