Key Facts
- Duration
- August 31 – September 15, 1950 (16 days)
- Conflict context
- Part of the Battle of Pusan Perimeter
- Attacker
- Korean People's Army II Corps
- Defenders
- ROK I Corps and U.S. Army reinforcements
- Outcome
- UN victory; KPA forces routed and pushed back
Strategic Narrative Overview
The KPA struck the ROK I Corps unexpectedly, exploiting low morale and overextended defensive lines to push UN forces back rapidly. Fighting centered on repeated efforts by both sides to capture and hold P'ohang-dong and An'gang-ni. U.S. Army units were rushed in to reinforce the beleaguered ROK troops. Sustained UN air and naval fire support proved decisive in slowing and then reversing the North Korean advance over two weeks of intense combat.
01 / The Origins
In the summer of 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea and pushed UN and Republic of Korea troops into a small defensive perimeter around Pusan. As part of the broader Great Naktong Offensive, the KPA's II Corps targeted the Kyongju corridor — a strategic route running through P'ohang-dong, An'gang-ni, and Kyongju — aiming to breach the perimeter and strike the vital UN logistics hub at Pusan.
03 / The Outcome
By September 15, 1950, UN forces had routed the KPA II Corps and restored defensive lines in the Kyongju corridor, eliminating the immediate threat to Pusan. The victory contributed to the overall stabilization of the Pusan Perimeter, which held until UN forces broke out following the Inchon landings the same day. No significant territorial change resulted, as the front lines largely returned to their pre-offensive positions.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
2 belligerents
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.