First Battle of Seoul

1950 invasion of Seoul by North Korean forces during the Korean War

First Battle of Seoul

Part of the Korean War

Map of the North Korean Invasion, 25–28 June 1950
| Date| June 25–28, 1950

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Location|

Seoul, South Korea

Result|  Communist Victory
Belligerents
South Korea|  North Korea
Commanders and leaders

* Syngman Rhee
* Chae Byeong-deok †

* Kim Il Sung
* Kim Chaek

Strength
65,000|  107,000
Casualties and losses
44,000 dead or missing|  1,112 dead

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Korean War

North Korean offensive
(25 June – 15 September 1950)

* Pokpung
* Chuncheon
* 1st Seoul
* Gorangpo
* Kaesong–Munsan
* Ongjin
* Uijeongbu
* Suwon Airfield
* Air Campaign
* Andong
* Chumonchin Chan
* Osan
* Pyongtaek
* Chonan
* Chochiwon
* Taejon
* Sangju
* Yongdong
* Hwanggan
* Hadong
* Notch
* Pusan Perimeter
* Masan
* P'ohang-dong
* Taegu
* 1st Naktong Bulge
* Bowling Alley
* Battle Mountain
* Kyongju
* Haman
* Nam River
* Ka-san
* Tabu-dong
* Yongsan
* 2nd Naktong Bulge

United Nations Command counteroffensive
(15 September – 30 October 1950)

* Inchon
* Pusan Perimeter offensive
* 2nd Seoul
* UN September 1950 counteroffensive
* Hill 282
* UN offensive into North Korea
* Sariwon
* Pyongyang
* Yongyu
* Kujin
* Chongju
* Sunchon tunnel

Chinese Intervention
(25 October 1950 – January 1951)

* Onjong
* Unsan
* Pakchon
* Second Phase Offensive
* Ch'ongch'on River
* Wawon
* Chosin Reservoir
* Task Force Faith
* UN retreat from North Korea
* Hungnam evacuation
* 3rd Seoul
* Uijeongbu
* 1st and 2nd Wonju
* Pohang

Fighting around the 38th parallel
(January – June 1951)

* Thunderbolt
* Twin Tunnels
* Roundup
* Hoengsong
* Chipyong-ni
* 3rd Wonju
* Chuam-ni
* Wonsan
* Killer
* 4th Seoul (Operation Ripper)
* Maehwa-san
* Courageous
* Tomahawk
* Rugged
* Dauntless
* Spring offensive
* Imjin River
* Yultong
* Hwacheon
* Kapyong
* Soyang River
* UN May–June 1951 counteroffensive

Stalemate
(July 1951 – 27 July 1953)

* Bloody Ridge
* Minden
* Punchbowl
* Heartbreak Ridge
* Commando
* 1st Maryang-san
* Haktang-ni
* Polecharge
* 2nd Maryang-san
* Rat Killer
* Hill Eerie
* Old Baldy
* Blaze
* Bunker Hill
* Outpost Kelly
* White Horse Hill
* Arrowhead Hill
* Triangle Hill
* Jackson Heights
* Noris
* 1st Hook
* 2nd Hook
* Chatkol
* Outpost Vegas
* Pork Chop Hill
* Little Switch
* Nevada Complex
* 3rd Hook
* Outpost Harry
* Kumsong
* Berlin Outposts and Boulder City
* Samichon River
* Korean Armistice Agreement
* Big Switch
* Panmunjom Declaration

Air operations
(1950 – 1953)

* Air Campaign
* MiG Alley
* Sunchon
* Strangle
* Sui-ho Dam
* Bombing of North Korea 1950–1953

Naval operations
(1950 – 1953)

* Naval engagements of the Korean War

For further information, see also:
Korean War (template)

The First Battle of Seoul (Korean: 제1차 서울 전투), known in North Korean historiography as the Liberation of Seoul, was the North Korean capture of the South Korean capital, Seoul, during June 1950 at the start of the Korean War.

## Background[edit]

Main article: Operation Pokpoong

On 25 June 1950, Korean People's Army (KPA) forces crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea. The KPA utilized a blitzkrieg style invasion using T-34 tanks supported by artillery. The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) had no methods in stopping the onslaught of tanks as they lacked anti-tank weapons and had no tanks at all.

## Battle[edit]

On 28 June the ROKA demolished the bridge across the Han River trapping soldiers from the 5th Division and killing hundreds of refugees evacuating the city.[1] North Korean forces were able to cross the river later that day and occupy Seoul.[2]

## Aftermath[edit]

On 30 June President of the United States Harry S. Truman released a statement that indicated the invasion of South Korea had grown the threat of communism to the Pacific area and the United States. In response to the invasion, Truman ordered United States provide assistance with air and land forces in Korea. Moreover, Truman ordered the United States Seventh Fleet to prevent any attack on Formosa and strengthened the United States forces in the Philippines.[3]

As a result of North Korea’s invasion, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed United Nations Security Council Resolution 84. The resolution authorised the use of the UN flag in operations against North Korean forces and those nations partaking. The UNSC provided a recommendation to members to provide assistance to South Korea in repelling the North Korean attack and restoring worldwide peace and security.[4]

## See also[edit]

* Second Battle of Seoul
* Third Battle of Seoul
* Fourth Battle of Seoul

## References[edit]

1. ^ Millett, Allan R. (2007). The Korean War: The Essential Bibliography. The Essential Bibliography Series. Potomac Books Inc. pp. 18–19. ISBN 978-1-57488-976-5.
2. ^ Johnston, William (2011). A war of patrols: Canadian Army operations in Korea. University of British Columbia Press. p. 20\. ISBN 978-0-7748-1008-1.
3. ^ "Statement by the President, Truman on Korea". History and Public Policy Program Digital Archive, Public Papers of the Presidents, Harry S. Truman, 1945–1953. 27 June 1950.
4. ^ "United Nations Security Council Resolution 84". History and Public Policy Program Digital Archive, United Nations. Department of Public Information. 5 July 1950.

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Seoul

* Government
* Council
* Mayor
* City Hall
* History
* Names
* Timeline
* Climate
* Shopping
* Sport
* Transport

Districts|

| North of the Han River (Gangbuk)|

* Dobong
* Dongdaemun
* Eunpyeong
* Gangbuk
* Gwangjin
* Jongno
* Jung
* Jungnang
* Mapo
* Nowon
* Seodaemun
* Seongbuk
* Seongdong
* Yongsan

|

South of the Han River (Gangnam)|

* Dongjak
* Gangdong
* Gangnam
* Gangseo
* Geumcheon
* Guro
* Gwanak
* Songpa
* Seocho
* Yangcheon
* Yeongdeungpo

Business districts|

* Central (Jongno, Jung) Business District (CBD)
* Gangnam Business District (GBD)
* Yeouido Business District (YBD)

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Years in South Korea (since 1945)

20st century|

* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
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* 1951
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21st century|

* 2001
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