EverydayKorea.com

Canada's Army in Korea

Canada's Army in Korea Preface The First Canadians in Korea Background of the Conflict Formation of the CASF The Fighting in 1950 Canadian Troops in Action Political Aspects The Patricias at Kapyong Training at Fort Lewis The 25th Brigade Goes In Early RCN Operations The 25th Brigade in Action, 1951 The 2nd RCR at Chail-li Political Developments During June 1951 Canadian Operations During June and July Formation of the 1st Commonwealth Division Across the Imjin The "Rotation" of Canadian Troops Enemy Attacks During November The Political Front, July-December 1951 Holding the Line, 1951-1953 The First General Rotation Patrols Against the Boot and Hill 113 Canadian Troops on Koje Island The RCR on Hill 355 The Patricias' Second Rotation Winter on the Hook Korean Personnel with the Canadian Forces The Second General Rotation The End of the Fighting The Attack on the 3rd RCR Political Developments, 1952-53 Administration Behind the Canadian Brigade, Juny 1951-July 1953 Supporting Arms Air Support and Supply The RCN in Korean Waters, May 1951-July 1953 The Toll of the War Conclusion Main Provisions of the Armistice Agreement The Canadians After the Armistice Canadian Troops Withdraw Korea in Retrospect Books and Articles for Further Reading Abbreviations

Political Developments During June 1951

While the long-term political aim of the United Nations with respect to Korea remained the unification of the country, the immediate object had become a cease-fire on the 38th Parallel. As the Secretary General, Mr. Trygve Lie, pointed out in an address in Ottawa on 1 June 1951, "...the main purpose of the Security Council resolutions of June 25 and July 7 will be fulfilled, provided that the cease-fire is followed by the restoration of peace and security in the area."

But what of the attitude of the Communist powers towards such a proposal? The first indication came on 23 June, when Mr. Jacob Malik, Russia's permanent delegate to the U.N., stated in a radio broadcast: "The Soviet peoples believe that as a first step discussions should be started between the belligerents for a cease-fire and an armistice providing for the mutual withdrawal of forces from the 38th Parallel". Two days later the Peiping radio announced that Communist China fully endorsed the Russian stand. Thus both the United Nations and the Soviet bloc had come to agree, if only in principle, on the desirability of an early cease-fire and a peaceful settlement of the Korean question. That the termination of hostilities would not "ensure conditions of stability throughout Korea" (as expressed in the U.N. General Assembly's resolution of 7 October 1950) unless precautions were taken against a renewal of the conflict was fully realized by the major democratic powers. The proposed arrangement was only a step towards the ultimate objective of the U.N. in Korea; but the ROK President, Mr. Syngman Rhee, regarded it as an abandonment of that objective. South Korean opposition to a cease-fire was to prove a source of considerable embarrassment to the United Nations.

On the last day of June General Ridgway, having been authorized to enter into truce negotiations with the Communists, sent the following message to the NKPA Supreme Commander (General Kim Il Sung):

I am informed that you may wish a meeting to discuss an armistice providing for the cessation of hostilities and all acts of armed force in Korea, with adequate guarantees for the maintenance of such armistice. Upon the receipt of word from you that such a meeting is desired I shall be prepared to name my representative. I would also at that time suggest a date at which he could meet with your representative . . .. General Kim and the commander of the Chinese "volunteer" forces, General Peng The-Huai, whose reply was broadcast from Peiping next day, suggested that such a meeting be held between 10 and 15 July, on the 38th Parallel near Kaesong.

Cease-fire talks began on 10 July, but not until almost five months had elapsed were they to produce any apparent effect on military operations.

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