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BATTLE // Aug–Sep 1950

Pusan Perimeter

Southeastern Korea · 35.180, 129.076

Cartographic map of the Pusan Perimeter
Center of Military History, United States Army, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

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Overview

The Battle of the Pusan Perimeter, known in Korean as the Battle of the Naktong River Defense Line, was a large-scale battle between United Nations Command (UN) and North Korean forces lasting from August 4 to September 18, 1950. It was one of the first major engagements of the Korean War. An army of 140,000 UN troops, having been pushed south to the brink of defeat, were rallied to make a final stand against the invading Korean People's Army (KPA), 98,000 men strong.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

Invasion contained before Inchon

Result

U.N. defensive success

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • United Nations141,808
    medium
  • North Korea98,000
    medium

United Nations fielded a 1.4 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • United Nations3,642
    medium3% loss rate

Commanders (10)

North Korea

United Nations

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Related

6 sibling battles · 11 factions

Last verified May 2026
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