The 6.25 War (known in the U.S. as The Korean War)

GI's advancing to the action; Koreans civilians fleeing the action, 1950

Fleeing Pyongyang, braving the icy waters of the Taedong River (Source: Bettmann Collection/CORBIS)

Korean refugees trudge through the snow and ice outside Kangning, 1951 (Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration)

Refugees climbing on trains (Source: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS)

Refugees crossing a wrecked bridge (Source: AP Photo/Max Desfor)

A stream of civilians flee their homes, carrying their possessions on their backs, 1950 (Source: Australian War Memorial)

Ruined streets of Seoul, 1950 (Source: Bettmann Collection/CORBIS)

U.S.military searches Korean refugee for possible hidden weapons, 1950 (Source: AP Photo/Gene Herrick)

The 38th Parallel

The 6.25 War, which began on June 25, 1950, was a devastating conflict for Korea and the Korean people. Within the first year, five million refugees streamed to the south to avoid the battlefield. And while the fighting lasted only three years, it resulted in the deaths of about three million Korean civilians (about one-tenth of the population). The armistice, signed on July 27, 1953, formalized the division of the country and separated an estimated 10 million people from their family members. No peace treaty has ever been signed.

Click on a video below to learn about a narrator's experiences during this time period:

Kon Ho Cho shares his experiences as a boy soldier during the Korean War. WARNING: This video contains difficult content and may not be suitable for children. Running time 4:49.

Joong Oh Rhee shares his family's experiences during the Korean War. Running time 4:15.

Kon Ho Cho reflects on the Korean War and its effects on life in his village, South Korean and his own life. Running time 5:05.

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