Korean War

Press, 5 October 1984, Page 16

Korean War

Sir,—l thank Clarrie Haines for inviting me to address a Korean veterans’ reunion, but I have little to say to people naturally wanting to believe their effort was in a just cause. I have read no Russian or Chinese sources, and my only reports from a New Zealand veteran were, I hope, not typical, being entirely of sexual adventures with helpless South Korean girls, and cruelties inflicted on “gooks.” My information is all available in “Time” and “Life” files. The latter magazine proudly pictured a vicious atrocity on prisoners of war, thrown into lorries with barbedwire netting rolled over them after camp riots. America thought North Korea was helpless — only at their border did the Chinese intervene. New Zealand veterans had nothing to do with the obliteration of Pyongyang and its civilian population, but, sadly, still think America was right. — Yours, etc., VARIAN J. WILSON. October 3, 1984.

Sir,—Those who accept the view that North Koreans started the war, might consider the situation in June, 1950. The Soviet Union was boycotting the United Nations in support of China’s non-admission. Is it really likely that the North would choose this time when their only ally was unavailable for support? By the same token, this was the golden opportunity for the South; to strike. In the highlyvolacie situation across the parallel at the time it seems much more

likely that a random provocation from either side escalated into fullscale war. This is borne out by the fact that for the first few days fighting at the border was very confused and Southern forces gained position north of the border briefly. This hardly accords with the conventional wisdom of Northern armies poised to attack. The later success of the Northern forces resulted partly from their popular land redistribution among Southern peasantry. — Yours, etc., PETER STOCKER. October 3, 1984.

[This correspondence is now closed.—Editor]