Lesson 30

Kim II-sung

Communist leader of North Korea; his attack on South Korea in 1950 started the Korean War. He remained in power until 1994.

38th Parallel (DMZ)

Division between North and South Korea- Demilitarized Zone

Pusan Perimeter

Location of the Battle of Pusan Perimeter. Defined by the furthest advance by North Korean forces during the Korean War. American and South Korean forces halt North Korea's advance to the South

Korean People's Army (KPA)

North Korean Army

Operation Chromite

On September 15, 1950, during the Korean War (1950-53), U.S. Marines force made a surprise amphibious landing at the strategic port of Inchon, on the west coast of Korea, about 100 miles south of the 38th parallel and 25 miles from Seoul. The location had been criticized as too risky, but United Nations (U.N.) Supreme Commander Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) insisted on carrying out the bold landing. Afterward, the American-led U.N. force was able to break North Korean supply lines and push inland to recapture Seoul, the South Korean capital that had fallen to the Communists in June. The landing at Inchon changed the course of the war; however, the conflict later settled into a long, bloody stalemate that did not end until a July 1953 armistice

Republic of Korea (ROK)

South Korea

MiG Alley

The area over North Korea where the first jet dog fighting took place