Forgotten Heroes: Canada and the Korean War

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Topic spans: 1950 - 1999

Forgotten Heroes: Canada and the Korean War

It is called Canada's "Forgotten War." Over 500 Canadians died in the United Nations' struggle to repel the communist forces that invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. To the people they helped liberate, the Canadians were heroes. Yet those who made it home returned to an indifferent country and a government that took 40 years to officially acknowledge their sacrifice.

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Canada pledges military aid to South Korea

Broadcast Date: June 29, 1950

The United Nations is only five years old when the communist North Korean army attacks South Korea on the morning of June 25, 1950. U.S. President Harry Truman responds by ordering American fighters and warships to defend the southern republic. On June 29, amid heckles of "stupid jingos!" from a Quebec member of Parliament, Canada's Liberal Foreign Affairs Minister Lester B. Pearson tells Parliament that "Canada will do as she has always done – her full duty" to help defend South Korea.

Canada pledges military aid to South Korea

Technically, Canada was never at war with the communist forces of North Korea and, eventually, China. Eager to preserve the United Nations image as an organization committed to maintaining peace, the Canadian government insisted UN operations in Korea be labelled a "police action." A police action was considered a limited military intervention with the goal of resisting aggression and restoring peace, not military victory.

Canada pledges military aid to South Korea

Medium: Radio

Program: CBC News Roundup

Broadcast Date: June 29, 1950

Guest(s):

Commentator: Blair Fraser

Duration: 3:29

Last updated:
March 13, 2008

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