page 8 of ASIA A5 booklet (The end of the Korean War - stalemate and armistice)

Question 1

When had stalemate been reached?

Answer 1

Stalemate had been reached by the end of January 1951. The 2 sides were now facing off on the 38th parallel.

Question 2

When did negotiations start?

Answer 2

Negotiations started in July 1951.

Question 3

When and where was an armistice eventually signed?

Answer 3

An armistice was eventually signed in July 1953 in Panmunjom. 2 years after negotiations started.

Question 4

Why did it take so long for an armistice to be signed?

Answer 4

It was mainly due to Rhee obstructing the negotiations over ensuring continued American help for South Korea.

Question 5

When was President Truman replaced by Eisenhower?

Answer 5

In November 1952 President Truman was replaced by Eisenhower who wanted to end the war as quickly as possible.

Question 6

When did Stalin die and who replaced him?

Answer 6

Stalin died in March 1953 and the new leader of the USSR, Malenkov, was more friendly to the west.

Question 7

What did the armistice agree?

Answer 7

• The 38th parallel would roughly mark out the divide between North and South.
• Either side of the 38th parallel would be a 2 mile demilitarised zone.
• All military forces would withdraw to their own territory.
• The repatriation of prisoners would begin.

Essentially things had returned to how they were before the war had started.