Dates 25 Jun 1950 – 31 Jul 1950 | Location 38th parallel north | |
Similar Battle of Sangju, Hadong Ambush, Battle of Pyongtaek, Battle of Chumonchin Chan, Battle of Sunchon | ||
Operation Pokpoong (폭풍 작전; Korean for Storm) was an offensive operation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) against the Republic of Korea (ROK) that marked the start of the Korean War. The operation began at 04:00 KST on 25 June 1950 along the 38th parallel north without a declaration of war.
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The operation was planned by both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). In addition, the USSR supplied weapons such as tanks and aircraft to its communist ally. With the support from the USSR, the DPRK was able to take control of the ROK capital Seoul within a few days.
The original goal for the operation was to occupy the entire Korean Peninsula by 15 August 1950 ― 50 days, with an average 10 km advance each day ― in commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the Gwangbokjeol. However, heavy losses incurred by the DPRK II Corps, which was in charge of the eastern front, at the hands of the ROK 6th Infantry Division, enabled the ROK to delay the DPRK advance. Soon, the United States joined the war on June 27, and the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 84 on July 7.
Prelude
Since March 1950, Korean People's Army started to build up its armament, and redeployed its troops to get ready to attack the Republic of Korea. In May 16, officers of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics began final inspection for the war.
The DPRK Ministry of People's Defense held high-ranking talks everyday since then. In June 10, the Ministry of People's Defense secretly summoned all division and brigade commanders to Pyongyang for the meeting.
Kang Geon, the Chief of the General Staff of the DPRK, ordered troops to be fully ready for an offensive operation in disguise of defensive operation by June 23. In June 11, Korean People's Army was reorganized into two corps, and the divisions that were placed at the rear started to move as close as 10 to 15 km of north to the 38th parallel north.
In June 18, the Ministry of People's Defense sent the Reconnaissance Order Number 1 (정찰명령 제1호) to division commanders to gather informations about locations of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and terrain. In June 22, after completion of reconnaissance and reorganization and approval from Joseph Stalin, Soviet military advisors ordered the Ministry of People's Defense to send the Engagement Order Number 1 (전투명령 제1호) to its divisions.
In the meantime, Kim Il-sung informed Joseph Stalin that the war will be started on June 25, and Stalin consented the plan. As scheduled, Korean People's Army began the operation and crossed 38th parallel north at 04:00 KST of 25 June 1950. When the war began, Kim Il-sung held the governmental emergency meeting and stated the following to the members of the Workers' Party of Korea who did not realize the situation:
Comrades, the forces of traitor Rhee Syngman has crossed 38th parallel and started a full-scale invasion to challenge our northern republic.
Order of battle
Almost entire forces from both sides were involved in the operation either directly or indirectly. The order is at the beginning stage of the operation, and only the major combatants are listed below.