7 OCT 1950: Korea, and the UN command forces are authorised to cross the 38th parallel. In the northern autumn of 1950 when it seemed that the North Koreans had been defeated, the United Nations General Assembly authorised UN command forces to pursue North Korean troops across the parallel. The subsequent advance precipitated Chinas entry into the war. With the course of war turning favourable for the South, military operations north of the 38th parallel was approved on September 27. However, the ground force and air force was strictly kept from crossing the borders with China or Russia in order to block war among major powers of the world. In the meantime, General MacArthur insisted that Kim Il-seong unconditionally surrender. This was ignored and a plan to bring Chinese forces into war was being considered. On August 20, a Chinese authority sent a telegraph to the UN Secretary General Lie and noted that China is deeply interested in addressing the problem in Korea. On September 30, it was reiterated that the UN forces trespass of the 38th parallel will not be tolerated. On October 3, China, through the Indian ambassador to Beijing, notified the US that Chinese troops will not be sent to Korea if only South Korean troops cross the 38th parallel but that the Chinese troops will be dispatched if UN forces cross the line. However, this was all considered as a mere pressure against further UN actions. The South Korean army was already north of the 38th parallel on October 1st. In UN, a debate was going on considering the UN forces movement into the North. In the UN General Assembly on October 7, 1950, a new resolution on the unification and revival of Korea was taken with the support of an absolute majority; 47 agreements, 5 oppositions and 7 abstentions. In this resolution, UN reiterated that the essential goal is to establish a unified, independent and democratic Korea. The Assembly also reaffirmed the importance of the UN forces actions in Korea and aid to South Korea based on the Security Council resolution adopted on June 25 and 27. Along this line, the UN adopted the following resolutions; use all possible measures for stability on the Korean peninsula, with cooperation of representatives from North and South Korea hold an election under UN supervision to establish a unified, independent and democratic Korea, if necessary do not confine the UN forces actions to a specific part of the Korean peninsula, establish UNCURK consisted of 7 nations to succeed to the UN committee on Korea which was formed on October 20,1949. This allowed UN forces to cross the 38th parallel and the forces progressed into North Korea. However, for policy concerns, UN forces other than the South Korean Army was allowed to undertake operations 240km or 150 miles away form the Chinese and Russian borderline. General MacArthur urged North Korea to surrender and cooperate with the UN. He also declared that if the North refuses to follow, military actions will take place in order to fulfil the UN order. Meanwhile, the Souths 1st Corps that was heading north along the east coast took over Weonsan on October 10. On the 26th, US 10th Corps came to aid the Souths troops. The US 8th Corps that was in charge of the western battlefield took over Pyongyang on October 20. But the separated actions between the 8th Corps and the 10th Corps caused much trouble later on. General MacArthur insisted on separate actions. The US Joint Chiefs of Staff consistently urged joint operations of the 8th and 10th Corps. However, General MacArthur did not agree. On October 24, without the approval of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General MacArthur ordered full-scale marching towards the north to General Walker, head of the 8th Army and General Almond, commander of the 10th Corps. General MacArthur emphasised that this was done for military purposes. He gave US Secretary of Defense Marshalls opinion that crossing the 38th parallel is reasonable both strategically and tactically as ground for this. The northward march of UN forces and the occupation of North Korean territory shed light on the chance to realise the Souths reunification plan. On October 1, President Lee Seungman gave 4 suggestions to the UN Secretary General for unification. They include the following; unification of the Korean peninsula under a single government, immediate surrender and disarmament of North Korea, UNs presence on the Korean peninsula until peace is guaranteed and UNs financial support to South Korea. On October 13, UN made clear that the North Korean region will not be put under the rule of the South Korean government. UN noted that the region will be under the authority of the commander in chief of the UN Command until a general election is held. Also, General MacArthur was ordered to keep the Souths jurisdiction below the 38th parallel and to establish a civilian administrative body in the North. South Koreas unification policy was in conflict with what the UN wanted. The South Korean government rejected the UNs resolution that confined its authority to the area south of the 38th parallel. Rather, the government appointed provincial leaders of the 5 provinces in North Korea and sent them to the North with the army. On October 17, president Lee Seungman remarked that the South wants the UN to supervise, advise and aid the South rather than take charge of elections in North Korea. On the 21st, the South made it clear that it is willing to establish a civilian government in the North without any intervention of the UN or any other foreign entity. However, it was obvious that this runs counter to the UN policy. During the war, the South Korean governments attitude changed and it was specified that the 5 provincial leaders went into North Korea not as government representatives but as individuals. So, the US established military government at Pyongyang and Weonsan on October 21 and controlled the cities. President Lee Seungman visited Pyongyang on October 29th and declared his will for a free North Korea and a unified Korea. He also acknowledged that the South Korean government is willing to exert power over all of Korea with the cooperation of the North Korean officials but the UN is confining the Souths authority only to areas south of the 38th parallel. Also, in a press conference on the 30th, the President objected UNs resolution to hold a general election in North and South Korea and insisted an election only in the North to fill up the 100 positions in the Souths National Assembly that were kept open for North Korea. This was based on the conviction that recovery of North Korea with the use of UN power is not a real foundation for unification. The South Korean governments unification policy was interfered by the UNs push for war. More importantly, with the Chinese army, a potential threat, jumping into war, the course of war changed and hopes for unification was dissipated.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 23:14:56 +0000
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