Asia 845
Narrative: A minor engagement occurred between a North Korean force and South
Korean police. Major border fighting then erupted two months later and continued for
another month. There were several hundred casualties.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from May 5, 1949. Fatalities changed from
Missing.
MID#51
Dispute Number: 51
Date(s): June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953
Participants: 710 China, 731 North Korea/100 Colombia, 2 United States of Amer-
ica, 20 Canada, 200 United Kingdom, 210 Netherlands, 211 Belgium, 220 France, 350
Greece, 530 Ethiopia, 640 Turkey, 732 South Korea, 800 Thailand, 840 Philippines,
900 Australia, 920 New Zealand
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: >999 deaths
Narrative: The Korean War was fought between North Korea, South Korea, UN
forces (under US leadership with American troops), China, and the Soviet Union, for
control of the Korean peninsula. The Soviet Union and United States had divided the
Korea peninsula along the 38th parallel at the end of World War II, with the Sovi-
ets supporting a new regime in the north led by Kim Il-Sung and the United States
supporting one in the south led by Syngman Rhee. These competing regimes each
claimed sovereignty over the peninsula. On June 25, 1950, North Korea crossed the
38th parallel, quickly captured Seoul, and pushed to the south. US troops landed with
the assistance of other Western countries and pushed the North Koreans back across
the 38th parallel, toward the Chinese border. The Chinese then intervened in October
and pushed the troops from South Korea and its allies back toward the 38th parallel
and a rough stalemate followed. Fighting continued through the summer of 1953, but
by the end North Korea and South Korea still controlled nearly the same territory as
before the conflict. The parties signed an armistice on July 27, 1953.
Coding changes: Outcome changed from Unclear.
MID#2244
Dispute Number: 2244
Date(s): January 22, 1954 to November 10, 1956
Participants: 731 North Korea/2 United States of America, 732 South Korea
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 26–100 deaths
Narrative: In early 1954, South Korea’s president made comments that the 180 days
allotted for truce talks over the unification of North and South Korea would expire in
April, leaving his regime free to take any necessary actions against the Communist
regime in the North. His language indicated that he wanted war with North Korea,
and in July 1954 he called on the United States to join with South Korea to attack the
North. In January 1955, the United States warned the Communists that it would attack
North Korea if the country invaded the South, which was in response to a growing