"Just... be careful, okay? Dating him"
"I'll keep that in mind. Plus, I'm only fake dating him so..."
"That's not what the world will think"
"It's just for the show."
Summer 2023: 75 years have passed since the Korea War came to an end on 27th July...
One of the most important events during the Korean War goes back to the battles along the Pusan perimeter, which this episodes presenter, Tala, will explain to our group and viewers:
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"The Pusan perimeter was established to defend South Korea as Pusan was the second largest city after Seoul and essential to push back North Korean forces at any cost. If they had captured Pusan, the ending of the war would have looked a lot different.
The Battle of the Pusan Perimeter stretched from 4th August to 18th September 1950 and marked one of the bloodiest battles during the war.
140.000 troops defended the perimeter and were pushed into the corner by 98.000 KPA soldiers. The Pusan perimeter is a 230 km established defensive line we are currently standing in front of."
Tala pointed at the era around the group standing next to the Nakdong River, a crucial part of history.
"The first UN forces arrived in August 1950 in the Pusan perimeter to counter the North Korean troops. However, it wasn't as easy for the foreign forces to come, e.g. North Korean troops ambushed American soldiers driving through the hills to arrive at the perimeter, starting a shooting fire on over 300 soldiers.
The troops Lieutenant General Walton Walker commanded had to retreat to Masan as they could not secure Chinju with Task Force Kean. But they successfully stopped the North Korean 6th division from moving further toward Busan. By then, the US air forces began covering the UN tropes, destroying the bridges and roads the North Koreans used to invade further into the country.
On August 8th, 1950, the North Korean 4th division struck and broke through the established perimeter in an attempt to cross the Nakdong River. Today, this battle is known as the first battle of the Nakdong Bulge. Every available man of the UN forces was sent to the front lines, even non-combat engineers. Every man was needed to defend the perimeter at all costs.
The battle of Nakdong Bulge lasted ten long days until the UN forces, such as the American 24th Infantry Division, could push the North Korean forces back and destroy the 4th Division. The battle cost both sides heavily, with over 1.200 North Korean and 600 American troops lost.
The official battle was over, but fighting along the perimeter continued in August as the UN troops held their positions in defence. The ongoing battles along the Nakdong River and the west of Taegu are now known as the Bowling Alley.
On August 31st, the American 9th Infantry Division was ambushed by North Korean troops during their attempt to destroy the North Korean command post.
Another day long, four days long, battle stretched out, with the American troops caught in the middle of hell-fire. By September 4th, half of the men were killed.
The casualties: from the 2.000 men American 34th Infantry Regiment, only 184 survived.
Despite the lost battle in early September, the UN forces regained strength due to the mistake or advance of the UN and South Korean forces, of the North Korean troops spreading too thinly along the perimeter. They beat the North Korean forces back from the edge. By mid-September, it was strategically clear that the frame was secured. Which was essential for the outcome of the war."
Ayla sat down for the mid-show interview.
"Now that you have been in South Korea for six weeks already, how do you feel?"
"I have learned a lot more about the gravity that the war has caused over 70 years ago. The troops of South Korea and the UN troops were pushed to the brick at the Pusan Perimeter, but they managed to defeat all odds and shatter the troops for good. The biggest teamwork of so many different countries working together is impressive; I'm not aware of similar teamwork like that in human history."
"Was your great-great-grandfather among the UN troops of the Battles in the Pusan Perimeter?"
"No, my great-great-grandfather left Turkey on 12th September 1950 and arrived at the Pusan Perimeter on 17th October, when the Perimeter was already secured."
"So he was here for how long?"
"He fought in the war till 1953. He returned in August 1953".
"Ayla, last question. Why did you choose Jonghyun over anyone else?"
Ayla looks away for a sec, deep in thought, before she looks back at the camera.
"Because he understands me".
Last, to be interviewed, Jonghyun appeared on the screen.
"Jonghyun, last question. Why did you choose Ayla over anyone else?"
Jonghyun smiled softly before replying instantly:
"Because she understands me."
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More information about the Pusan Perimeter was the source for this chapter:
