ROK Forces that had withdrawn to the Nakdong River succeeded in recapturing Seoul with the U.N. Force's Incheon Landing Operation.
Then then continued north and captured Pyeongyang on October 20, 1950. However, before unification could be achieved, the situation
reversed itself because of the intervention from Chinese Forces on Novemver 19, 1950. This forced the U.N Forces to withdrew to Osan.
After the U.N Forces started its counterattack operation on January 15, 1951, they recaptured Seoul on March 4 and advanced to the
38th Parallel by March 24.
On March 12, 1951, General Ridgeway, Commander of 8th U.S. Army, quoted "It would be a big victory to the U.N. Forces if the Armistice would occur at the 38th Parallel." Also, the U.S. Government started to discuss the Armistice issue instead of attacking past the 38th Parallel.
On June 16, 1951, Secretary General of the U.N. Trigbri officially proposed Armistice of the Korean War. On June 27, the Soviet Union's Chief of Foreign Affairs Gromyko announced a declaration concerning the Armistice. The U.S. Government also announced a declaration after an investigation of the Soviet Union's proposal. On June 29, the U.S Government ordered Gen. Ridgeway, Commander of U.N forces, to propose the Armistice.
Through broadcasting, Gen. Ridgeway proposed for the Communists to have a liaison officer's contact for the Armistice at a Dannish hospital ship at the port of Wonsan.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Location of Signing | Gen. Kim Nam-il, Representative of the Armistice Conference | Signing of the Armistice Agreement |
After several proposals were made through broadcasting, the first contact was held after both sides agreed to have a preliminary conference at "Laebongjang," north of Gaeseong, on July 8, with Colonel-level representation from both sides. As they agreed on the preliminary conference, they held their first Armistice Conference on July 10, 1951. After 26 conferences in Gaeseong, they moved the conference meeting place to Panmunjeom on July 20. From that time, they held 765 conferences including 159 main conferences, 179 sectional committee meetings, 188 staff officer's meetings, and 238 liaison officer meetings. On July 25, 1953, the signing of the Armistice Agreement finally took place.
