MASSACRES OF CIVILIANS BY THE SOUTH KOREAN ARMY IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE (1967-1969)

Abstract

After the Second World War (WWII) ended, the Republic of Korea became one of the important allies of the United States. According to the agreement between the United States and the Republic of Korea, the first Korean armed troops made their presence in South Vietnam in September 1965, carrying out their war against Vietnamese people. The number of sodiers and weapons of the Korean army increased rapidly, reaching their peak of 50,000 sodiers in 1967. The Korean army were present in many locations in South Vietnam, namely Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa, Nha Trang, Sai Gon, and Tay Ninh, etc, and they made their greatest presence in Quang Nam. During their garrison period, the Korean troops carried out many operations in many areas in Quang Nam, causing a number of massacres and slaughtering innocent civilians on the large scale with brutal actions.