Korean War Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research
4 minute read
Updated 11:19 AM EDT, Fri July 21, 2023
An American soldier comforts a comrade during the Korean War, circa 1950. Click through to see more scenes from the Korean War.
Scenes from the Korean War —
An American soldier comforts a comrade during the Korean War, circa 1950. Click through to see more scenes from the Korean War.
Landov
A woman and child wander among debris in Pyongyang, North Korea, after an air raid by U.S. planes, circa 1950. The war began on June 25, 1950, when the North Korean People's Army crossed the 38th parallel and easily overwhelmed South Korean forces in a surprise attack.
Scenes from the Korean War —
A woman and child wander among debris in Pyongyang, North Korea, after an air raid by U.S. planes, circa 1950. The war began on June 25, 1950, when the North Korean People's Army crossed the 38th parallel and easily overwhelmed South Korean forces in a surprise attack.
Keystone/Getty Images
An American soldier walks around the rubble of Hamhung, North Korea, in an undated photo. On June 30, 1950, President Harry S. Truman ordered American troops into the fighting.
Scenes from the Korean War —
An American soldier walks around the rubble of Hamhung, North Korea, in an undated photo. On June 30, 1950, President Harry S. Truman ordered American troops into the fighting.
stringer/afp/getty images
North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung, left, signs a document in Seoul, South Korea, in an undated photo. The armistice ending the war was signed in July 1953, and its terms included the creation of the Demilitarized Zone.
Scenes from the Korean War —
North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung, left, signs a document in Seoul, South Korea, in an undated photo. The armistice ending the war was signed in July 1953, and its terms included the creation of the Demilitarized Zone.
stringer/AFP/Getty Images
A U.S. Army chaplain prays by injured soldiers at a combat field hospital in August 1950.
Scenes from the Korean War —
A U.S. Army chaplain prays by injured soldiers at a combat field hospital in August 1950.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
U.S. Marines attack Hagaru-ri, North Korea, in December 1950.
Scenes from the Korean War —
U.S. Marines attack Hagaru-ri, North Korea, in December 1950.
Fotosearch/Getty Images
An abandoned girl cries in the streets of Incheon, South Korea, in September 1950.
Scenes from the Korean War —
An abandoned girl cries in the streets of Incheon, South Korea, in September 1950.
STRinger/AFP/Getty Images
An American soldier searches a foxhole for enemies in February 1951.
Scenes from the Korean War —
An American soldier searches a foxhole for enemies in February 1951.
Fotosearch/Getty Images
Gen. Douglas MacArthur, center, head of the U.N. Command in the Korean War, and other military personnel observe shelling in Incheon from the USS Mount McKinley in September 1950.
Scenes from the Korean War —
Gen. Douglas MacArthur, center, head of the U.N. Command in the Korean War, and other military personnel observe shelling in Incheon from the USS Mount McKinley in September 1950.
Landov
The 187th U.S. Airborne Regimental Combat Team conducts a practice jump in South Korea, circa 1951.
Scenes from the Korean War —
The 187th U.S. Airborne Regimental Combat Team conducts a practice jump in South Korea, circa 1951.
PA Photos/LANDOV
North Korean prisoners of war make baskets on the floor of a storage barn at a prison, circa 1951.
Scenes from the Korean War —
North Korean prisoners of war make baskets on the floor of a storage barn at a prison, circa 1951.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Marines use a flamethrower in April 1951.
Scenes from the Korean War —
Marines use a flamethrower in April 1951.
stringer/AFP/Getty Images
The USS Missouri bombards Chongjin, North Korea, circa May 1951.
Scenes from the Korean War —
The USS Missouri bombards Chongjin, North Korea, circa May 1951.
Central Press/Getty Images
U.S. Marines duck for cover in a bunker as a shell explodes in April 1952.
Scenes from the Korean War —
U.S. Marines duck for cover in a bunker as a shell explodes in April 1952.
Keystone/Getty Images
Actress Marilyn Monroe entertains troops, circa 1952.
Scenes from the Korean War —
Actress Marilyn Monroe entertains troops, circa 1952.
MPI/Getty Images
U.S. troops emerge from helicopters onto an open field, circa 1953.
Scenes from the Korean War —
U.S. troops emerge from helicopters onto an open field, circa 1953.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Photos: Scenes from the Korean War
CNN  — 

Here’s a look at the Korean War. Although hostilities ceased in 1953, there has been no formal end to the war.

Causes of the Korean War

Korea was under Japanese rule before and during World War II, and was divided into two parts after the Japanese surrender. The Soviet Union occupied the area north of the 38th parallel and the United States occupied the area south until 1948.

Two new ideologically opposite countries were established in 1948: The Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).

North Korea wants reunification under communist rule.

Other Facts

The first war in which the United Nations played a role. When asked to send military aid to South Korea, 16 countries sent troops and 41 sent equipment or aid. China fought on the side of North Korea, and the Soviet Union sent them military equipment.

The United States sent about 90% of the troops that were sent to aid South Korea.

The first war with battles between jet aircraft.

The United States spent around $67 billion on the war.

The truce talks lasted two years and 17 days.

The casualty toll had been reported as 54,246 until June 2000, when the Pentagon acknowledged that a clerical error had included deaths outside the Korean War theater in the total.

There are more than 7,600 American soldiers still unaccounted for from the Korean War.

There has never been a peace treaty, so technically, the Korean War has never ended.

US Troops Statistics

Source: Dept. of Defense
US Deaths:
Hostile: 33,739
Non-Hostile: 2,835
Total In-Theatre: 36,574
US Wounded in Action - 103,284

Other Casualties by Country (killed and missing)

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
South Korea - (217,000 military, 1,000,000 civilian)
North Korea - (406,000 military, 600,000 civilian)
China - (600,000 military)

Timeline

November 1947 - The United Nations General Assembly approves elections to be held throughout Korea to choose a provisional government for the entire county. The Soviet Union opposes this.

May 10, 1948 - The people of South Korea elect a national assembly, setting up the government of the Republic of Korea. The north refuses to take part.