The Korean War Part IV
On June 23rd, Soviet ambassador Malik offered a cease-fire. Under territory dispute based patrol attacks and border-wide infiltrations, talks broke down in August. After numerous victories by Van Fleet's troops in the main supply and manufacturing area of the Chinese called the "Iron Triangle", and the Punchbowl, a fortified region of hills, the Chinese decided to resume talks for concession. The talks resumed on November 12. However, small clashes on the front kept the U.N. forces busy as well as the Chinese, who by the end of 1952, had over 800,000 troops in North Korea, with Soviet equipment moving in.
After two years of truce talks between China, Russia, North Korea, and the U.N., in which prisoners of war were still being held and ridiculous demands were being made, a cease-fire was achieved. Overall, the United Nations and Republic of Korea forces had captured over 171,000 POWs, many of which did not want to be returned to their home country, which strained local resources, both in terms of space and food. The Communists had captured over 92,000 POWs, two-thirds of which reportedly died or were killed in custody. In the years that have followed the armistice, South Korea and the United States have faced numerous subversive attacks, as well as the capture of the U.S.S. Pueblo in international waters and a failed submarine infiltration mission.
