AN HISTORICAL EXAMINATION OF INCH'ON, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
This research examines the South Korean (Republic of Korea) city of Inch'on. The period of particular interest in this examination is 1948 through 1955, which extends from approximately two-and one-half years before the beginning of the Korean War hostilities in June 1950 to approximately two-and-one-half years subsequent to the formal Cease Fire and Truce in July 1953. While 1948-1955 is the primary period of interest in this examination, some of the earlier history of Inch'on is reviewed to provide relevant background information for the examination.
The findings of the research are presented discussions in five topic areas. The "Culture and Geography" discussion covers essential geographic, demographic, economic, and political factors applicable to Inch'on prior to the beginning of hostilities in the Korean War. The strategic importance of Inch'on prior to the beginning of hostilities and the military importance of Inch'on during the early-part of the Korean War (prior to the amphibious landing by United States forces in September 1950), are addressed in the "Military Importance of Inch'on" discussion. The battle that ensued as a result of the amphibious landing is covered in two discussions. The first of these two discussions covers the military battle itself ("The Battle at Inch'on"), while the second discussion assesses the effects of the battle on the military forces involved in the battle ("Effects of the Battle"). The economic and cultural effects of the Korean War on Inch'on during the immediate post-war period (August 1953-December 1955) are covered in the "Inch'on: Post-War" discussion.
This discussion of culture and geography also includes brief references to the history of Inch'on and considerations of the structure of government in the city and the relevance of Inch'on to the greater Korean economy. The period January 1948 through May 1950 is emphas...