And rea meaning clear. Korea harbors more than 4000 years of myth and history, but its claim as land of the morning calm is marred by a history of domination and war and a land divided. Still, korea today boasts a dynamic 20thcentury momentum. , there is throughout the republic of korea a growing vitality underscored by Technological Progress and everincreasing selfreliance. And yet, in the midst of accelerating change, historic figures and shrines continue to recall long ago legends and dynasties. And the fertile korean earth is still worked by men clinging laborers born from the past. Morninghe land of the calm is the grim reality of the Armed Conflict that only two decades ago that ravaged and scarred this country, reminders of the price paid to preserve individual freedom and national security. Here at the United Nations memorial cemetery, more than 2000 markers eternally symbolize the more than 94,000 United Nations soldiers, airmen and sailors who paid the supreme price during three years of war. [explosions] out of war and death, a countrys right to survive, rebuild, and prosper through selfdetermination has been preserved. For more than 20 years now, the American Serviceman has continued to represent and the united date mandate to sustain the republic of koreas territory. For what reason is the u. S. Servicemen and United Nations forces still in south korea . For one, continuing essential purpose to help peace survive. Since july 27, 1953, the guns in korea have been mostly silent, but the continuing ideological conflict between north and south have made it a setting for psychological warfare carried on by north korea through tabletop belligerency along with overt and covert acts of aggression. These hostile acts directed against the United States and republic of korea military personnel over the years since the truce are documented reminders as to how fragile still is the morning calm in korea. The roots of north koreas hostility and aggression have deep, seeded at a different site, cairo, egypt. There in 1943, the big three held a historic world war ii meeting. President franklin d roosevelt, Prime Minister winston churchill, and and sheng kaishek of china, along with highlevel military and civilian advisers, focused their attention on postwar liberation of countries and peoples including korea. ,the cairo conference included a declaration that koreas long and repressive occupation by Japanese Military forces would be ended by liberation, followed in due course by korea becoming a free and independent country. Two years later, the potsdam conference with the soviet unions voice added reaffirmed the pledge made in cairo to stabilize korea as one free and independent nation, but the physical liberation of korea turned out to be soviet union style, which by its alarming spread, suddenly threatened to become a unilateral occupation of all korea, contrary to the agreements at cairo and potsdam. Concerned american planners pinpointed the nowfamous 38th as a necessary stopping point for these soviet forces. South of that, liberation will be carried out by the United States. As world war ii ended in 1945, korea found itself a divided nation despite our efforts to create a free and independent country. The soviet union assumed control korea, frustrating efforts to unify the country. All traffic to the north was sealed off. The question of korea became a United Nations concern in 1947. The u. Ns effort to hold supervisory, free elections throughout korea were blocked in the north by the soviet union. Only in the south was an election held. The republic of korea was created, and the National Legislature elected, with provisions for if and when elections could be held there. They elected the first president. These free elections in the south produced the only legal government in korea. In december 1948, the soviet union in a surprise move announced she had removed her occupation troops from north korea and we found ourselves compelled to do the same in the south, except for a small u. S. Army Advisory Group that remained at the request of the korean government. The question of a unified korea remained unanswered. The future of the south Korean People was another anxious american concern. , [explosions] north koreas plan for unifying korea was made known to the world on june 25, 1950, and it was by military invasion. As six divisions of north koreas peoples army slammed into the republic of korea. Within three days, the rolling thrust had seized the capital city of seoul. Korea had suddenly become a hot cold war crisis. In our capital, reaction was dramatic and swift. President truman immediately offered our military assistant assistance to stem and repel north korean aggression. Another voice, that of the United Nations, quickly condemned north koreas aggression, and in a series of emergency meetings, called upon members to assist the republic of korea. The United States was designated the Member Nation to head and coordinate military command. 20 Member Nations responded to the u. N. Request for military assistance. The 90 days following north koreas invasion were grim. A desperate bid for time to forces in size and firepower to match the scale of the expanding war. [explosions] as u. N. Military units poured in by land and sea, Ground Troops were pounded by the air force. On the ground, heroic actions gave General Macarthur and his u. N. Command the time to bring in its own initiative. [explosions] the u. N. Initiative was a bold invasion of an area some 150 miles behind north koreas lines. Surprise and daring paid off. [explosions] and when elements of the First Calvary Division raced 100 miles to link up with the advancing seventh Infantry Division forces, north koreas plan for unifying korea became a nightmare. [explosions] [explosions] [explosions] [explosions] by septembers end, seoul was forces, and. N. North korea was returned to the president. As north korea watched its conquest sag and collapse, its itser would later admit decision to invade the south would not have been made had he believed the United States would commit itself on such military support and assistance. He had gambled on america being weak and lost. The 38th parallel was again crossed, but this time the momentum was northward. Addingrpower was relentless pressure against the north korean ground forces, and new names were in the headlines as u. N. Forces rolled on. By late october, the north korean capital of pyongyang was overrun, and the only question seemed to be how soon the fighting would end. Optimistic gis said thanksgiving. Military strategists looked toward christmas. But as u. N. Forces edged closer, weather and north korean andstance became stiffer, that was thanksgiving, north korean style. Then there was a shock as waves of men and equipment poured across chinas border into north korea to again change the entire scope of the war. 18 chinese divisions slammed into u. N. Forces using massive physical and materiel superiority. Savage thanme more ever. The chinese gained momentum and zeroed in on a port city off the sea of japan. [explosions] just before a grim 1950 christmas, u. N. Forces were evacuated by sea. [explosions] [explosions] our eighth army received a new commander in general matthew ridgway, whose immediate concern was the three to one manpower superiority enjoyed by the combined chinese and north korean forces. [explosions] again, the 38th parallel was crossed as u. N. Forces fell back, complicated by fleeing refugees who impeded u. N. Operations. [explosions] seoul changed hands for the third time. As the winter of 1951 turned korea into a winter wasteland, u. N. Forces moving against overextended enemy supply lines, regained momentum. The initiative. [explosions] vanfleet replaced ridgway, who replaced macarthur. What was left of seoul was retaken by u. N. Forces almost one year after north koreas miscalculation, a tactical stalemate developed at the 38th parallel. A new phase of the war was at hand. In the early summer of 1951, the communist world let it known that a ceasefire and truce were possible. They stipulated that kaesong be the site for exploratory talks. Song to be and kae hostile north korean propaganda show. A location closer to the 38th parallel became the compromise choice. For two years, exploratory talks numbering 250 five sessions went on, and so did the fighting. [explosions] [explosions] another winter in korea passed. Combat became limited but bloody, ravaging the already scarred korean landscape and producing isolated battles of now Famous Legend and during which acts of heroism became just as legendary. [explosions] [explosions] finally, in april, 1953, pows , sick and wounded, were exchanged as part of operation little switch. Expectations for a meaningful ceasefire spread around the world, and especially among the bone weary u. S. Forces. Then, on july 27, 1953, and armistice was agreed to. Across korea, the guns would stand silent. But silent guns in korea were not enough to preserve the republic of koreas existence or guarantee its peoples survival. So, in 1953, the United States signed a mutual defense treaty with the republic of korea, pledging our military aid and assistance to help peace survive and to warn any wouldbe aggressor that we would not allow south korea to become a repeat victim of aggression. In spirit and practice, we have not wavered from that treaty commitment. The cause we have pledged to help peace survive in the divided country where peace has been so elusive, u. S. Forces remain today as a symbol of our commitment to the mutual defense treaty and the cause of peace in that area. The uniformed americans presently serving in korea are there to carry out one basic mission, to deter any act of aggression against the republic of korea. To the American Service man serving in korea, training readiness must have more than just routine attention. The uneasy peace underlined this serious and urgent need for a quick and determine military response. Determined military response. In partnership with american soldiers serving in combat and support units are the more than 10,000 republic of korea soldiers who represent korean augmentation to the United States army. Begun during the korea war, it the program has grown into a dramatic demonstration as to how different lifestyles, languages, and National Customs can coexist to benefit the common purpose of both nations. And since 1950, progress within the republic of koreas armed forces has transformed them into one of the largest in the free world. Its army and air force are combat ready, wellequipped and welltrained. In recent years, the defense of south korea has increasingly shifted to the republic of koreas military forces. Since march 1971, dmz security has mostly been carried out by south korean soldiers, allowing our second Infantry Division to stand in reserve and the veteran seventh Infantry Division to be removed from korea and returned to the United States for inactivation. This shifting emphasis to defensive responsibility by the republic of koreas armed forces does not mean a lessening of our resolve to meet our treaty commitments to the government and people of south korea. It is, rather, a dynamic demonstration of the american doctrine at work, an independent northeast asian country assuming increasingly greater control of its own security and allowing a realistic reduction of u. S. Military manpower and involvement in daytoday internal affairs. [jet engines] the continued presence of highly trained American Servicemen in the republic of korea is key to deterring aggression. How long even one u. S. Service must remain in korea depends on when turbulence and that the threat of aggression against the republic of korea will end. The American Service man serves in south korea as his counterpart does in western europe as a symbol of americas intention to stem aggression and preserve peace. But there is a light side to serving in korea today which offers relaxing fun, adventure, and a variety of travel and recreational opportunities. Wherever you are stationed, offduty hours or going on leave can mean places to visit with lots to do and see. There is, of course, seoul, home to 6 million inhabitants, and old and new lifestyles coexist amidst the racing pulse of this capital city, which expresses the essence of todays south korean vitality and resurgency. By night, when business has been put aside, seoul swings, sings and soars, and even though a midnight curfew prevails, there is still ample time to savor the flavors of the city after dark. If culture and beauty are part of your scene, a lifetime of korean history can be found in the historic temples and palaces scattered throughout the land. Throughout korea, you will be surrounded by scenic beauty, where traditional farming villages and rice patties offer another reflection of korea and dramatic contrast to its modern momentum. While serving in korea, you are going to find many differences between local customs and traditions than those in the western world. Learn to understand and respect them, and you will enjoy them too. Be aware also that the United States and the republic of korea have signed a status of forces agreement. That means that when local law or a koreans personal Property Rights are violated by u. S. Military forces, the republic of korea can try the accused in its own courts and legally sentence an American Servicemen service man if found guilty, to , a korean jail. By conducting yourself in accordance with international laws, your tour in korea could be most rewarding. The continuing presence of American Servicemen on the soil of the public of korea has contributed immeasurably to the countrys stability and security. Because of their presence, peace, even though fragile, has brought economic growth, prosperity and a sense of renewed National Pride to this historically troubled land. Once again, the morning calm has been restored, and it is for that very reason that the American Service man remains in korea to help peace survive. You can watch archival films on Public Affairs in their you can watch archival films on Public Affairs in their entirety on our weekly series, reel america, saturday at 10 00 p. M. And sunday at 4 00 p. M. Eastern, here on American History tv. [explosions] this is war. [explosions]