At the close of World War II, the victorious Allied Powers did not know what to do with the Korean Peninsula. Korea had been a Japanese colony since the late nineteenth century, so westerners thought the country incapable of self-rule.
The Korean people, however, were eager to re-establish an independent nation of Korea.
Russia moved in to North Korea to "maintain order," while the United States took control of South Korea. Soon, the North Korean leader, Kim Il-sung, decided to seize South Korea as well, and establish a united communist nation.
In June of 1950, North Korea launched an attack across the 38th Parallel, touching off the Korean War.
- A South Korean bazooka team fires near Osan, South KoreaSoldier fires a bazooka, Osan, South Korea. July 5, 1950.
- Last-ditch defense before the Fall of Taejon, South Korea, to North KoreansU.S. troops about to cede Taejon to the communists, July 21, 1950.
- UN forces blow up bridge over Kum River, near TaejonBombing of the Kum River Bridge near Taejon, South Korea. August 6, 1950.
- Wounded U.S. soldiers get airlifted out of KoreaMedivac of wounded soldiers, Korean War, July 28, 1950.
- Refugees stream out of Pohang, on the east coast of South KoreaOxcarts and pedestrians flow out of Pohang, as residents flee the approaching North Korean Army.
- Police search fearful Pohang refugees, looking for North Korean infiltratorsRefugee looks nervous as police go through his pack, Pohang, South Korea. August, 1950.
- South Korean soldiers try to comfort their wounded comradesWounded Republic of Korea soldiers are tended by their fellows, July 28, 1950.
- A soldier collapses with grief after his buddy dies at Haktong-niGrief-stricken soldier is comforted at Haktong-ni, August 28, 1950.
- South Korean President Syngman Rhee returns to Seoul after the North retreatsReinstatement of South Korean President Syngman Rhee in Seoul, September 29, 1950.
- Naval bombardment by U.S.S. Toledo during the Korean WarU.S.S. Toledo bombards east coast of Korea, 1950.
- North Korean POWs exercise at a prisoner of war campPrisoners exercise at a camp for North Korean POWs, August 10, 1950.
- Bomb damage to the railyard at Pyongyang, North KoreaPyongyang railyard after heavy bombardment, October 25, 1950.
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