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North Korea backed the communist party in the Chinese Civil War with both supplies and manpower (approx 70,000-120,000 troops). This paid off later for the North, as the Chinese communists sent the North Koreans home with their wepons and training, playing a vital role in the initial invasion of South Korea. Chinese troops even fought in Korea for the North.
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Following the Allied forces' victory over Japan in World War II, Korea gained its freedom, only to be occupied by Soviet forces in the North, and U.S. troops in the South, split by the infamous 38th parallel.
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The People's Republic of Korea - Short lived government established after Korea's liberation from Japan. The U.S. occupation ended it though, as the PRK was suspected to be communist leaning. It operated unoficially until about January of 1946 until it was forcibly dissolved by the USAMGIK.
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The United States Army Military Government In Korea - Lead by Lt. Gen. John R. Hodge.
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The meeting that determined many of the outcomes of WWII also created the joint Soviet-U.S. commission that implimented a 5-year trusteeship, whereafter Korea would be granted its independence. This proved to be very unpopular among the Korean population, which was expecting immediate independence.
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An immense railroad worker strike sparked civil disorder and violence throughout Korea. In the following months, hundreds of civilians and police officers would be killed. This lack of progress in Korea would lead the U.S. to push for the election for an independent Korea through the UN.
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Stained by counts of terrorism and sabotage, the election established the first independent government of South Korea that the U.S. recognized. Later, on July 20, 1948, Syngman Rhee would be elected as the first president of the new government.
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***Still the recognized government of South Korea
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Elections were hosted shortly after South Korea established the Republic of Korea
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Established with Kim Il-sung as the supreme leader (Korean Workers' Party). Not recogized by UN
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Fueled by small skirmishes along the 38th Parallel, North Korea launches its first large-scale invasion of the South, marking the beginning of the Korean War.
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U.S. President Harry Truman approved the use of planes and naval vessels to support South Korea. Only four days later, ground forces were dispatched.
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Just days after North Korea invades, President Rhee and other key government members evacuate Seoul, the capital of the ROK. While civilians also try to flee, many can not escape the pace that the North Korean army is moving.
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The first major ground operation involving U.S. troops. Without the firepower to break the North's tank armor, the battle was a lopsided defeat for the ROK
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Led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the arrival of U.S. ground forces changed the tides of the war. Within weeks, South Korean troops, now backed by the U.S., Occupied much of North Korea.
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Following Gen. MacArthur's successful landing at Incheon, South Korean and supporting forces manage to retake much of the territory that was lost, including Seoul.
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The ROK, followed by UN forces, push the North Korean army past the 38th Parallel, into the North. Pyongyang, North Korea's capital is captured.
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After warning of intervention if the ROK and UN armies progress into North Korea, Chinese forces pushed into Korea, making first contact near the China-North Korea border.
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Following China's large-scale intervention, UN forces are pushed back across the 38th Parallel. President Truman declares a state of emergency.
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Following the deciding loss in the "Chinese New Year Offensive" (Took place New Year's Eve, 1950), Seoul is Recaptured by the Chinese-led North Korean Army.
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The United Nations General Assembly condemns China as an aggressor in the Korean War.
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After the battlefront stabilized, the UN forces began to gain momentum, eventually recapturing Seoul for a second time - the city's 4th capture in under a year.
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After fighting Chinese/North Korean forces back into North Korean territory, the two sides generally exchanged no territory for the remainder of the war.
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Following a long list of issues, including invading the North without orders, President Truman Relieved Gen. Douglas MacArthur from Operations in Korea. Later, he will be will be subject to congressional hearings that he defied direct orders from the president, this breaking the constitution.
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A cease-fire agreement was signed at Panmunjom, making the end of the Korean War official. It did not, however, ease tensions between the North and South.
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With many troops leaving immediately, it wasn't until nearly 9 months after the peace agreement was signed that all U.S. troops left Korea.
