The UN launched its first armed intervention in response to the conflict in Korea. This was also the first large conflict to arise in the aftermath of the Second World War. Starting at the beginning of the Cold War, this conflict marked the opposition between the interests of the United Nations and the communist threat, represented by China and the USSR.
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when the North Koreans invaded an ill-prepared South Korea. A meeting at the UN Council called for an end to hostilities and the withdrawal of troops from South Korea. The UN also ordered other countries to provide aid to South Korea.
Seoul was captured on June 28, leading to the withdrawal of UN troops. These troops were then sent north, to the border between North Korea and China. The intervention of the Chinese army led to violent fighting. Truman, the U.S. president, refused to use the atomic bomb on China. The United States saw the risk of a new world war so it did not want to enter into open war with China. The United States committed to the conflict when Truman sent reinforcements to South Korea on June 30.
The Communist front was stopped in South Korea on January 15, 1951. Korea was officially divided into two, resulting in riots and protests as well as the beginning of prison camps.
Negotiations to end the war began on July 10, 1951 and lasted for almost two years with some interruptions. All issues were raised. Between October 1952 and April 1953 negotiations stalled. Both sides agreed to call on a neutral commission to handle prisoners who did not want to return to their armies. The agreement also involved holding a peace conference three months after the armistice was signed.
The armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, ending the war which was one of the most dangerous escalations of the Cold War. The Korean conflict caused more than 4 million casualties, mostly civilians. Today, Korea is still divided into two countries–North Korea and South Korea.