What Was the Repatriation Controversy at the End of the Korean War?

Abstract

The repatriation problems at the end of the Korean War marked a critical juncture in the global struggle for political ideas and human rights. This paper aims to delve into the multifaceted dimensions of this controversy, which were largely about the fate of prisoners of war (POWs) held by opposing forces, primarily the US, and China and North Korea communists. The conflicts centered on the voluntary repatriation versus the compelled return of POWs to their original country, and the USs ambiguous stance attempting to resolve it. This paper generally analyzes the USs decision making and the on-going disparity remained between belligerent countries. The study also considers the lasting controversy of repatriation from an international perspective in relation with human rights, Geneva Convention, and humanitarian laws. Through an all-sided examination, this paper aims to provide a broader understanding of the Korean Wars situation and how the US decided to deal with the inconsistency between the POWs and the belligerent countries.