photos courtesy of the Korean American Association in Greater Fort Lee
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, This year marked the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War. On Saturday, June 24th, the KAAFL – Korean American Association in Greater Fort Lee 포트리 한인회and VFW Cairola-Barber Post 2342 held a ceremony commemorating the anniversary. The event began at 10:30am at the Korean War Veterans Memorial Statue located at Abbott Boulevard & Central Boulevard.
At the 73rd Korean War Commemoration this past Saturday, the KAAFL – Korean American Association in Greater Fort Lee 포트리 한인회 presented special plaques to the president of the Korean War Veterans, Mr. Al Gonzalez, and the president of the 1492 Green Club, Mr. Young Hyun Baek. Mr. Young Hyun Baek has donated 5,300 trees throughout New Jersey in remembrance of the MIA Korean War soldiers. Three of those trees were recently planted behind the Fort Lee Korean War Veterans Memorial at the intersection of Abbott Boulevard and Central Boulevard.
The Korean War was a significant conflict that took place from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, on the Korean Peninsula. Here’s a brief history of the Korean War:
- Background: Korea was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. Following Japan’s defeat in World War II, the Korean Peninsula was divided into two zones along the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union controlling the north and the United States controlling the south.
- Outbreak of War: On June 25, 1950, North Korea, led by Kim Il-sung, launched a surprise invasion of South Korea, aiming to reunify the country by force. The North Korean army quickly captured the capital city of Seoul and pushed southward, rapidly advancing.
- UN Intervention: The United Nations Security Council condemned the North Korean aggression and authorized a UN force to repel the invasion. Led by the United States, a multinational coalition of 16 countries, primarily composed of US and South Korean forces, was assembled.
- Counteroffensive and Stalemate: The UN forces, under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, launched a counteroffensive that pushed the North Koreans back. They recaptured Seoul in September 1950 and advanced toward the border with China. However, the Chinese government, fearing a US presence at its doorstep, intervened and pushed the UN forces back to the 38th parallel.
- Stalemate and Armistice: The war settled into a stalemate, with both sides dug in near the 38th parallel. Negotiations for a peace settlement began in 1951, but a final agreement was not reached until July 27, 1953. The armistice established a demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the 38th parallel, effectively maintaining the pre-war division of Korea.
- Casualties and Aftermath: The Korean War resulted in significant human and material losses. It is estimated that between 2.5 and 3 million Koreans died, including civilians and military personnel. The war also saw the involvement of Chinese and Soviet forces, contributing to a higher death toll. The armistice agreement did not lead to a formal peace treaty, and technically, North and South Korea remain in a state of war.
- Long-Term Impact: The Korean War had several long-term effects. The division of Korea along the 38th parallel persisted, with North Korea adopting a communist ideology under Kim Il-sung’s leadership, while South Korea embraced capitalism and became a US ally. The war also highlighted the tensions of the Cold War era, as the United States and China were indirectly involved in the conflict. It led to an increase in military spending and further ideological rivalries between the superpowers.
Overall, the Korean War was a significant event that shaped the geopolitical landscape of East Asia and had lasting effects on the Korean Peninsula.
