June 29, 1950 Seoul
Three Days in Seoul

  For some reason, the North Koreans did not take any other action for 3 days after their seize of Seoul. There have been several hypothetical explanations for the 3-day intermission, and one theory was explained in a KBS TV program called “Sunday Special” on June 26, 1999.  The explanation is as follows:

Although the South Korean army failed to protect Seoul during the battle, they resisted strongly and severely damaged the 2nd North Korean troops in the central and eastern frontier. This was their first victory over the North Koreans.

Because of the failure of their initial strategy, the North Koreans wasted nearly 3 days with no sign of progress.   Giving time to the enemy is a fatal mistake in modern warfare.  

On this day, General MacArthur, the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Far East Armed Forces, arrived in Korea and observed the situation along the front line.  What he beheld before him was a most pitiful sight, the sight of an army about to fall into pieces.  However, his visit enhanced the morale of the Korean soldiers, and during the North Koreans’ 3-day stay in Seoul, he appointed General Il Kwon Chung as the Commander in Chief of the Korean Army, and the Korean army was able to restore their strength.  

Interview with General Il Kwon Chung,
The Commander in Chief of the South Korean Army at that time

“If the North Koreans continued their attack south of Seoul, we might have had to face the worst situation. In that case the U.S. would have lost the chance to help the South, and even the landing on Inchon shore would have been a lot more difficult.”

- Lee, Won bok.  The Korean War(Part II).  Seoul : Dong-a  Publishing Co.  Pictures from Park Heung Yong’s Studio.-