III.

Korean War

At the beginning of the Korean War (1950-1953) the belligerents promised to honor the principles of the 1949 convention. In spite of this, the Communist forces were responsible for numerous violations; prisoners received inadequate food, clothing, and shelter and poor medical treatment, often resulting in loss of lives.

In the course of truce negotiations during the war, a new problem arose regarding repatriation of prisoners. Because of the apparent unwillingness of Communist soldiers made prisoners of war to return to their homelands, the United Nations Command posited the principle of “voluntary repatriation,” stating that prisoners of war should not be returned against their will. Although the Geneva Convention does not specifically authorize voluntary repatriation, the United Nations Command held that the humanitarian spirit of the convention would be violated if the prisoners were forcibly repatriated. The new principle was finally incorporated in the armistice agreement on July 26, 1953, following a yearlong deadlock; the agreement granted the belligerents the right to speak with prisoners opposed to repatriation. The Korean War was distinctive among wars throughout history for the extensive and effective use of psychological warfare, or “brainwashing” of prisoners, by North Korea (see Torture).