Armistice

It took 2 years and 17 days after the first session at Kaesong for the two sides to agree to a cease-fire. At first they disagreed over a line of demarcation (borderline) to be drawn between the opposing armies. Then they deadlocked early in 1952 over the exchange of prisoners. The UN insisted on the principle of voluntary repatriation, by which prisoners who did not wish to return to Communism would not be forced to do so. In April, 1952, General Ridgway was transferred to the NATO command and was succeeded by General Mark W. Clark.

In October, 1952, the negotiations collapsed. In December, President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower fulfilled a campaign promise by touring the Korean front. Peace negotiations were resumed in the spring of 1953. By then, political conditions favoring a truce had resulted from two eventsEisenhower's election as President and the death of Russia's dictator, Joseph Stalin.

In April, 1953, an exchange of sick and wounded prisoners was achieved. The Communists then agreed to voluntary repatriation under supervision of a commission of neutral nations. Prisoners refusing repatriation were to be placed in custody of this commission. Representatives of their home countries were to be permitted to try to talk them into returning. Prisoners not persuaded to return were to be released to a neutral country unless a later political conference decided otherwise.

In June, 1953, agreement was reached for a demilitarized zone two and a half miles (4 km) wide to separate the opposing forces in accord with the then-existing battle line. This arrangement permitted North Korea to hold 850 square miles (2,200 km2) south of the 38th parallel, but gave 2,350 square miles (6,100 km2) above the parallel to South Korea. It was also agreed that neither side would increase its military strength during the armistice. A neutral-nations supervisory commission was authorized to investigate violations behind the lines of each side.

South Korea wanted the Chinese to leave North Korea at once. It also wanted an agreement that elections under UN supervision would be held for uniting Korea under a non-Communist government. UN agreement to a compromise on these issues caused South Korea to recall its delegate. The compromise called for a political conference to be held after the signing of the armistice to settle the political future of Korea.

Syngman Rhee, South Korea's President, showed his disapproval of the armistice terms by releasing 24,000 anti-Communist North Koreans from prison camps. He threatened that South Korea would continue fighting. Signing of the truce was delayed until the United States satisfied the Communists that it would be responsible for holding South Korea to the terms of the armistice. Rhee consented to abide by them after being promised that the United States would defend South Korea against any future attack. The armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, and fighting ended that evening.

took place during August-September, 1953. The UN command released 70,159 North Koreans and 5,640 Chinese. The Communists released 12,760 prisoners, among whom were 7,850 South Koreans, 3,597 Americans, 945 Britons, and 228 Turks.

Repatriation was refused by 14,699 Chinese and 7,876 North Koreans. The talks authorized by the armistice changed the minds of only a few of these prisoners.

Among the 400 Communist-held prisoners who refused repatriation were 21 Americans, who said they preferred to stay in Red China. Some of these men had been converted to Communism by brainwashing conducted in prison camps. But others feared being punished for actions against fellow prisoners. Most of the men later changed their minds and returned to the United States.