Korea in 1950

North Korea's invasion on June 25 started the Korean War; Seoul fell within three days and the government fled to Daegu and Busan. The Incheon landing in September led to Seoul's recapture and an advance north, but China's entry in October reversed the tide, and the Hungnam evacuation at year's end brought huge numbers of refugees south.

The year in Korea

Jan 12U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson announced a Far East defense perimeter that excluded the Korean peninsula. [Source]
May 30Elections for the second National Assembly were held. [Source]
Jun 25North Korean forces launched a surprise invasion across the 38th parallel, starting the Korean War. [Source]
Jun 28South Korean forces blew up the Han River footbridge before dawn, and Seoul fell to the North Korean army the same day. [Source]
Sep 15UN forces under Douglas MacArthur carried out the Incheon landing. [Source]
Sep 28South Korean and UN forces recaptured Seoul. [Source]
Oct 19The Chinese People's Volunteer Army crossed the Yalu River into the war, fighting its first battle on October 25. [Source]
Dec 15The Hungnam evacuation began, and through December 24 UN troops and North Korean refugees were shipped south. [Source]

The Korean War (1950–53) · Historical photo archive →

Around the world

May 9French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman issued the Schuman Declaration proposing the European Coal and Steel Community. [Source]

Songs, shows & trends

Sports

Ham Kee-yong wins the Boston Marathon — On April 20 high-school student Ham Kee-yong won, with Song Gil-yun and Choi Yun-chil second and third. [Source]

Year League: the best year

Sources

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1950s · War and Armistice

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