Canada's Role in the Korean Conflict Essay Example

Introduction

The Korean conflict that became known internationally as the Korean War began in 1950 to 1953 between South Korea and North Korea. This was the first military action that caught the global attention after the Second World War after which there was a long period of the Cold War. The northern Korean army invaded the south militarily and hence necessitating international reaction. Canadian forces were involved militarily in the 1950-1953 Korean war under the United Nations. Since then, Canada has been involved in one way or the other in the Korean peninsula conflict in trying to find a lasting solution that would guarantee peace. War brings pain and loss of both life and to the economy of a country. It is the international community under the United Nations that stepped up in trying to bring to an end the destructive war (Lee 106). The international community is made up of different countries that use various means including diplomacy and the military action to resolve an international conflict like the Korean War. Canada remained in South Korea even after the war as military observers to assess the situation and advice accordingly. In the war, Canada lost a high number of military servicemen but that did not defeat the spirit of the Canadian people to offer help whether needed by the international community.

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International conflicts require an international solution. Canada aims to be providing these solutions under the international community guided by its international foreign policy. Canada's role in the Korean helped put into action one of Canada's foreign policy goals of peace and security.

Canadian Involvement in the Korean War

Approximately 26,000 Canadians under the umbrella of the United Nations were involved in the Korean War that lasted from 1951-1953 when active military action ended. Canada's involvement in this war was guided by the country's foreign policy. Two objectives why Canada was involved in the war were to promote peace and security in the region and also promote human rights issues that were being violated as the war continued. Canada provided military equipment such as aircraft and other logistical support. In the battle zone, it was guided by the United Nations objective and the international laws as stipulated by the United Nations charter. Canada lost over 300 soldiers in combat but at the end of the day, it was worth it for the overall good of the Korean people and the world in general. Canada got involved in the Korean War after the United Nations resolution that the North Korean army needed to be repelled because it was clear they were winning the war against southern Korea. The United Nations members were requested to provide military assistance as it was clear that the people of South Korea were suffering and North Korea had acted against the wishes of the international community which all along had supported diplomacy as opposed to military action.

Policy Options Available

Canada is always guided by the country's foreign policy goals. In the 1951-1953 Korean War, Canada was involved in the war militarily as there was no other option provided in that case. However, Canada has several policy options whenever an international issue arises. The country has an option of using military and non-military tools in issues and all the tools are readily available for Canada. If an issue does not threaten Canada directly, then the country may result to use of sanctions. Sanctions are aimed at punishing a country that goes against Canada's ideals as a country or as a member of the United Nations. Use of negotiation and diplomacy is one of the most important options for Canada because this option helps avoid conflicts with other states (Lipset 60). This option is given priority over other options which might be costly for Canada in one way or the other. Military use is also an option for Canada and this was the option taken during the Korean War since all the other options could not work for Korea (Mercer 226).

Foreign Policy Factors and Goals

Canadian foreign policy in relation to the Korean War was largely influenced by other European powers such as Britain and America. The countries have a shared tradition with Canada and in most cases have a shared objective when it comes to international affairs. One of the factors that influenced the policy was the urgent need of help by the South Korean people. They had been attacked by the Northern Korea army unexpectedly and could not manage to retaliate. The united nations and Canada included needed to act fast in order to foster peace and security in the Korean peninsula .There was no time to consider other policy options such as sanctions and diplomacy. Military action was the only option in order for the allied forces to repel North Korean army back to their border. Canada got involved in the war with the main goal being the promotion of peace and security together with the upholding of human rights. Despite involvement in the Korean War, it is the goal of the Canadian foreign policy to always ensure all the available options are considered before a military action is taken in order not to damage Canada's image as a friendly and peaceful nation with other countries. The Korean War provided no other option for Canada apart from the military action (Mercer 231).

Military and Non-Military Action

During the Korean War, Canada had two options that are military or non-military. In 1951-1953 was to either introduce sanctions or get involved in the war militarily. On- military actions were thwarted by North Korea's sudden invasion of the south and the international community had no option but to get involved militarily to contain the North Korean army. Military action is more costly compared to other options such as sanctions and diplomacy but sometimes it is the only option in order to maintain peace and security in the region (Brookfield 50). Nonmilitary actions such as sanctions and diplomacy had already been overtaken by events during the Korean War.Canada had no other option but to follow its main foreign policy goal of ensuring global peace and security and promotion of human rights for those concerned. Diplomacy had been tried but failed to help the situation since North Korea was so determined to invade the south (Mercer 240).

Current Status

It is now over 65 years since the Korean War happened.Canada continues to be a global player in matters security and human rights. Canada's foreign policy also focuses on the country's sovereignty, trade, and environmental matters. Korean War ended and current events developing in the Korean peninsula are promising a long-lasting peace between the north and the south. Chances of Canada getting involved militarily have reduced but may intervene with sanctions and diplomacy especially as a result of nuclear development activities undertaken by the north (Massie 630). The legacy of Canada's involvement in the Korean War lives on even today and somehow shapes diplomatic and international decision taken by Canada such as close bilateral ties with South Korea. Trade ties exist with the south but not very strong ties exist with the North Korea which is a communist leaning state. United Nation's member states have a responsibility to protect against abuse of human rights and the threat to peace. Current Canada foreign policy is guided by the resolution when it comes to the Korean peninsula (Mercer 225).

Conclusion

The Korean War was the first military war after the Second World War ended. The period after the Second World War ended was more characterized by the events of the cold war as opposed to the military action. In the Korean War, it was between the communist aligning North military and the Capitalist aligning military of the south that was supported by the American government. The military conflict necessitated the involvement of Canada under the United Nations and Canada was guided by its foreign policy of ensuring international peace and security by collaborating with other partner states. It is the goal of the Canadian state to promote peaceful coexistence in other nations that are involved in conflicts that lead to bloodshed. War raises the issue of human rights and social justice which forms a part of Canada's foreign policy goal. Canada aimed to ensure that women and children would not suffer as a result of the war involving different militaries. Canada's foreign policy goal of ensuring peace and stability was achieved by involvement by Canada's involvement in the Korean War.

Works Cited

Brookfield, Tarah. Cold war comforts Canadian women, child safety, and global insecurity. Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press, (2012):35-96.

Lee, Steven Hugh. The Korean War. Routledge, (2013):105-110.

Lipset, Seymour Martin. Continental divide: The values and institutions of the United States and Canada. Routledge, (2013):56-78

Massie, Justin. "Making sense of Canada's "irrational" international security policy: a tale of three strategic cultures." International Journal 64.3 (2009): 625-645.

Mercer, Jonathan. "Emotion and strategy in the Korean War." International Organization 67.2 (2013): 221-252.