Response to North Korean invasion

Question 1

what was the USA’s response to the North Korean invasion ?

Answer 1

• Strongly condemned the invasion as a communist attack and part of a wider Soviet plan to spread communism.
• Saw the invasion as a test of containment and feared the spread of communism in Asia (Domino Theory).
• Immediately called for UN action and pushed for a military response.
• Sent the majority of troops, weapons, and leadership under General MacArthur to defend South Korea.
• Aimed to defend South Korea, but later tried to push communism out of North Korea too.
• By the end of the first year, over 75,000 US troops were deployed.
• The US would eventually send over 300,000 troops during the war.
• Spent approximately $67 billion on the war effort overall.

Question 2

what was the UN’s response to the North Korean invasion ?

Answer 2

• 25 June 1950 – Just hours after the invasion, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting.
• 27 June 1950 – Passed Resolution 83, which:
• Condemned the invasion as a breach of peace.
• Called on UN member states to provide military aid to South Korea.
• The USSR was boycotting the UN at the time (over China’s representation), so they couldn’t veto the resolution.
• 1 July 1950 – First UN forces (mostly US troops) landed in Korea.
• 16 countries sent combat troops (including UK, Canada, Australia, Turkey, France).
• 5 more sent medical/logistical support (e.g. India, Italy).
• UN military force was about 340,000 troops at its peak.
• The UN command was placed under US General Douglas MacArthur.

Question 3

what was the soviet unions response to the North Korean invasion ?

Answer 3

• No public response at first — stayed silent.
• Continued to support North Korea behind the scenes with weapons and advisors.
• Had encouraged the invasion earlier but avoided direct involvement to prevent open war with the USA.
• Was boycotting the UN, so couldn’t block the resolution or stop UN intervention.
• Supplied 150–200 Soviet T-34 tanks, aircraft (e.g. MiG-15s), and artillery to North Korea.
• Helped train the North Korean army before the invasion.

Question 4

what was China’s response to North Korea invading ?

Answer 4

-No immediate military response — just watched closely.
-Mao Zedong was cautious and didn’t want a war with the USA.
-China had only recently finished its own civil war (1949) and was still rebuilding.
-Warned that if the US crossed the 38th parallel, they might intervene.

Question 5

how did South Korea respond to the North Korean invasion ?

Answer 5

• Shocked by the surprise invasion, Seoul fell within 3 days (28 June 1950).
• President Syngman Rhee evacuated, leaving the capital with little warning.
• South Korea asked the UN and USA for urgent help.
• The ROK army (Republic of Korea) was under-equipped: only about 65,000 troops, with no tanks or air force.