Key Facts
- Start of ROK crossing into North Korea
- 30 September 1950
- UN linkup near Osan
- 27 September 1950
- UN renewed offensive date
- 24 November 1950
- Chinese Second Phase Offensive began
- 25 November 1950
- Geographic objective reached
- Yalu River, North Korean-Chinese border
Strategic Narrative Overview
Republic of Korea forces crossed the 38th parallel on 30 September 1950, followed by a general UN advance into North Korea. Within approximately one month, UN forces had pushed close to the Yalu River on the Chinese border. China launched initial attacks in late October and early November, but the UN renewed its offensive on 24 November. The following day, massive Chinese intervention in the Second Phase Offensive abruptly halted the UN advance.
01 / The Origins
Following the successful UN amphibious landing at Inchon in September 1950 and the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, North Korean People's Army forces were shattered and retreating northward. The UN Command, seeking to complete the destruction of the KPA and reunify the Korean peninsula under a pro-Western government, decided to pursue enemy remnants across the 38th parallel, the de facto border dividing North and South Korea.
03 / The Outcome
The UN offensive was decisively stopped by China's large-scale Second Phase Offensive beginning 25 November 1950. UN forces, unable to withstand the weight of Chinese intervention, were forced into a major retreat. The campaign that had appeared close to unifying Korea under UN auspices collapsed, shifting the war into a new and protracted phase with Chinese forces now a primary combatant alongside the KPA.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Douglas MacArthur.
Side B
2 belligerents
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.