The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces invaded South Korea.¹⁾

The war was fought between the communist North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and the democratic South Korea, backed by the United Nations, with the primary involvement of the United States.²⁾

The Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War” because it was overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War.³⁾

The war lasted for three years, ending in an armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953, rather than a formal peace treaty, which means technically, the war is still ongoing.⁴⁾

The Korean War resulted in approximately 5 million casualties, making it one of the deadliest conflicts of the 20th century.⁵⁾

General Douglas MacArthur led the UN forces in the early stages of the war but was later dismissed by President Harry S. Truman for publicly advocating for the use of nuclear weapons against China.⁶⁾

The Battle of Inchon, led by General MacArthur, was a pivotal amphibious invasion that turned the tide of the war in favor of the UN forces.⁷⁾

The Korean War was the first war in which jet aircraft were widely used, leading to significant advancements in aerial combat.⁸⁾

The Battle of Chosin Reservoir was one of the most brutal battles of the war, with freezing temperatures and harsh terrain resulting in heavy casualties.⁹⁾

The Korean War saw the first combat use of helicopters, which played a crucial role in medical evacuation and troop transportation.¹⁰⁾

The war saw instances of “tunnel warfare” where North Korean and Chinese forces dug underground tunnels to ambush UN troops.¹¹⁾

The “Pusan Perimeter” was a defensive line established by the UN forces in the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, effectively halting the North Korean advance.¹²⁾

On November 6, 1952, the first African American to earn the Medal of Honor during the Korean War, Private William Thompson, was posthumously honored for his bravery.¹³⁾

The war brought about significant destruction to the Korean Peninsula, and many historical and cultural landmarks were damaged or lost.¹⁴⁾

During the war, both sides engaged in propaganda campaigns, dropping leaflets over enemy territory to demoralize the enemy forces.¹⁵⁾

The Korean War led to a significant refugee crisis, with millions of people fleeing from North to South or becoming internally displaced.¹⁶⁾

Armistice negotiations were held in the village of Panmunjom, located in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that still separates North and South Korea today.¹⁷⁾

The armistice agreement created the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a 4 km wide buffer zone that acts as a de facto border between the two Koreas.¹⁸⁾

South Korean President Syngman Rhee was initially against the armistice agreement, as he wanted to continue fighting for the reunification of the peninsula.¹⁹⁾

The Korean War saw the first use of the term “brainwashing,” as prisoners of war from the UN forces reported being subjected to intense psychological manipulation by their captors.²⁰⁾

Marilyn Monroe famously visited US troops stationed in South Korea in 1954, boosting the morale of American soldiers.²¹⁾

The war led to a surge in military spending by the United States and the establishment of military bases in South Korea, which continue to exist to this day.²²⁾

The Korean War influenced the decision to form the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) to prevent the spread of communism in Asia.²³⁾

The United Nations Command, led by General Mark W. Clark, was established to coordinate the efforts of the UN forces during the war.²⁴⁾

Despite the heavy involvement of the United States, the war did not lead to a significant change in the overall geopolitical situation in the region.²⁵⁾

In 1950, the United States intervened in the conflict under the justification of the Truman Doctrine, which aimed to contain the spread of communism.²⁶⁾

Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries also contributed troops and support to the UN forces during the war.²⁷⁾

The Battle of Pork Chop Hill was a particularly brutal and deadly conflict that highlighted the intensity of the fighting.²⁸⁾

The war saw extensive use of naval forces, with many naval battles and blockades taking place off the Korean Peninsula's coast.²⁹⁾

The Korean War was a testing ground for new military technologies, including guided missiles and early versions of night vision devices.³⁰⁾

The war led to a brief period of cooperation between China and the United States, as both sides sought a resolution to the conflict.³¹⁾

Both North and South Korea have dedicated national cemeteries for the war dead, honoring the soldiers who lost their lives.³²⁾

The Korean War had a profound impact on the Korean people's psyche and identity, further dividing the two sides culturally and politically.³³⁾

A number of notable veterans of the Korean War later became prominent figures in politics, including US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.³⁴⁾

The Korean War was the first armed conflict following the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.³⁵⁾

A significant number of prisoners of war refused repatriation at the end of the war, choosing to live in a neutral country instead.³⁶⁾

South Korea experienced rapid economic growth in the decades following the war, known as the “Miracle on the Han River.”³⁷⁾

North Korea remains one of the most closed and secretive countries in the world, partially due to the war's enduring impact.³⁸⁾

The war led to significant technological advancements in military equipment and tactics, shaping modern warfare.³⁹⁾

The Korean War was one of the first “limited wars,” as the major powers involved sought to avoid a direct confrontation with each other.⁴⁰⁾

Despite the war's end, sporadic skirmishes and incidents along the DMZ have occurred over the years, leading to continued tensions.⁴¹⁾

The US Military Academy at West Point introduced mandatory Korean language courses after the war to improve communication and intelligence gathering.⁴²⁾

In 1999, the remains of more than 400 US soldiers were returned by North Korea, and a joint recovery operation continues to search for more remains.⁴³⁾

The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., was dedicated in 1995 to honor the American soldiers who served during the conflict.⁴⁴⁾

The Korean War's legacy continues to shape geopolitics in East Asia, with reunification efforts and regional security remaining ongoing concerns.⁴⁵⁾