Battle of Ongjin

Battle of Ongjin
Part of the Korean War and Operation Pokpoong
Date 25–26 June 1950 Location Ongjin Result North Korean victory Successful South Korean withdrawal
Belligerents
North Korea	South Korea
Commanders and leaders
Han Il-rae Choe Hyun	Paik In-yup
Casualties and losses
Unknown dead 3 T-34 destroyed 2 armored vehicles destroyed	326 dead

North Korean victory

The Battle of Ongjin was a part of the Operation Pokpoong that marked the beginning of the Korean War. The ROK 17th Infantry Regiment fought against the DPRK 14th Infantry Regiment and the 3rd Guard Brigade supported by a tank company at Ongjin.

Ongjin Peninsula is located at the westernmost of the 38th parallel. It is surrounded by the sea, and its only land route was blocked by the 38th parallel. There are strategic mountains at the center of the peninsula that can observe the entire peninsula easily. Prior to the Battle of Ongjin, the two opposing forces already had three clashes near these mountains in 1949.

The DPRK had built supply bases nearby, and supplies could be transported by railroad. On the other hand, ROK forces received support from Port Bupho located at the southeast of the peninsula. Due to the wide range between tidelines, large vessels were only able to come up alongside the Port Bupho pier twice per day.

From 20 June 1950, ROK 17th Infantry Regiment began witnessing suspicious and unusual movements on North Korea side of the 38th parallel. The regiment spotted many high-ranking North Korean officers in North Korean bases and on the hills, but no North Korean civilians were seen. When the regiment received an order to call off its alert, regimental commander Paik In-yup ignored the order and kept his regiment on high alert for any possible attacks from North Korea. Eventually, Paik lowered the alert except on the front lines. However, when United Nations personnel visited the regiment they urged Paik to cancel the alert saying that the it would cause the very issue it was in place to prevent. However, the day before the battle Paik ordered every troop to be stationed in their defense positions, giving the regiment a fortunate battle-ready stance for the upcoming attack.

Taking over Kangryong as fast as possible was the main goal for North Korean forces. The 3rd Guard Brigade prepared in the west, and the 14th Infantry Regiment with an armored battalion from the 203th Armored Regiment was tasked with capturing Kangryong.

Ongjin Peninsula is an isolated area where only ground access was to go through North Korean soil. Therefore, 17th Infantry Regiment had to defend a 45 km line with limited troops. The 1st Infantry Battalion covered the west and the 3rd Infantry Battalion covered the east while the 2nd Infantry Battalion was stationed at the rear to act as relief. The regiment focused its strength at the Kangry'ŏng, protected by the 3rd Infantry Battalion, because it was most likely to be the primary object for North Korea. If Kangry'ŏng was taken, the regiment would lose its combat strength by half along with its path of retreat.

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