Recognizing Korean War Armistice Day

 

Korean War Armistice Day July 27, 1953

by Barbara Latta

After more than one year of waiting, it finally happened…

We visited the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone, the area that separates North and South Korea. The photo above is the table where the documents were signed. 

Covid restrictions kept pushing back this tour on the calendar, but as the bans lifted the tours filled.

Few people are probably aware of all the details that caused this country’s separation. I learned some facts I didn’t know as we listened to our tour guide and a US Army representative explain the events that precluded the Korean War.

Before the war, Korea was a unified country. The peninsula was not divided. In 1910, Japan occupied Korea and sought to wipe out all the country’s cultural heritage by replacing monuments, language, education, and books with only Japanese.

Bullet holes in the wall 

Boys were conscripted into the Japanese army. Women were forced into labor camps and some into sex slaves for the military. This is one reason most Koreans are still not friendly to any mention of Japan.

World War II changed the political landscape of Japan and with their defeat, the occupation of Korea ended. The sad result for the Korean people was that the peninsula was divided between the two capturing armies, United States and USSR. This division at the 38^th parallel was intended to be temporary but as with most things political promises are not kept.

In 1950, North Korea led by Kim-Il Sung and with the support of China and the USSR, invaded South Korea and the war began. Fighting continued until the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953. There was never an official end to the war. This is the reason South Korea is dotted with United States military bases manned by US forces and other UN countries sent to assist the Republic of Korea’s army.

While there was not an official end to the war, talks between North and South in 2021 stated the war ended in principle. However, it is unlikely anything changed on the North end of the deal as they still have over 40,000 missiles pointed toward Seoul.

The arrogance of communism is prevalent in their immature attempt at superiority. The North Korean flag that flies just over the fence at the JSA kept being raised higher than the South Korean flag and weighs over 600 pounds due to the fabric being lined with metal fibers.

We saw bullet holes in the metal where a North Korean man successfully crossed the line after being shot more than 5 times by communist guards a few years ago. He miraculously survived and escaped the brutality of political domination.   

All communist countries oppress their citizens. The only ones who benefit are those who are in control because the state owns everything. In North Korea, people barely have enough food, the country is dark at night (except Kim Jong-un’s palace). They are sick, oppressed, and know nothing about the outside world. This is one of the leading countries of violating human rights on the planet.

In comparison, South Korea ranks #5 in the world for entrepreneurship. The citizens elect their leaders, education is at the highest level, and crops are grown all over the land. The constant construction of buildings is another explosive growth indicator.

While Buddhism is still a major religion in South Korea, the freedom to worship is revealed as crosses on tops of churches dot the horizon. One of the largest Christian churches in the world, pastored by the late Dr. Cho, is in Seoul.

Monument commemorating the signing of the 
Armistice

It makes one wonder why anyone living in a free and independent nation like the United States of America would advocate for socialism and communism like some of the celebrities, politicians, and billionaires who enjoy the freedom provided by the Constitution do now.

Communism has never benefited any country, and it never will.

But this is one strategy satan employs as he gets his talons into unbelieving minds. It is caused by pride, lies, and the need to control other people.

God created mankind with a spiritual need for Him. When that need is deflected away from the Lord, the god of self takes over and is never successful for prosperity.

This is the reason Christ told His followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Freedom in Christ is freedom in all aspects of life. His death and resurrection purchased for us the identity He has and the right to fellowship with the Father—the Creator of all life.

Visiting this site was an eye-opening experience. When you see first-hand the separation of a country due to one man’s dictatorial ways, you appreciate your own liberty even more.

Please remember those who fought to protect the southern part of the Korean peninsula which included approximately 36,000 Americans who died and 100,000 wounded with thousands more taken as POW’s. The civilian population’s casualties were between 2-4 million.

July 27, 1953 is a date that will remain in the minds of anyone associated with the Korean War.

Please feel free to leave your comments.

Recognizing Korean War Armistice Day on July 27. Remember the thousands who fought and died. (click to tweet)

God created mankind with a spiritual need for Him. When that need is deflected away from the Lord, the god of self takes over and is never successful for prosperity. (click to tweet)