본문 바로가기
  • Home
Basic Search

Organization and Activities of the Student Volunteer Force at Incheon during the Korean War

Kyengho Son 1

1국방대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper attempts to explore the reality of Incheon Student Volunteer Force (ISVF) in terms of its organization and activities during the Korean War. The unit was established under the initiative of senior students of Incheon Student Volunteer Force which had been supported by South Korean government until the outbreak of the war. Contrary to common knowledge, the ISVF was the first student volunteer force that was created on June 26, 1950. Unlike other student volunteer forces, the ISVF played a great role in maintaining security at the initial phase of the war. Even, the students asked Korea National Police that had withdrawn from Incheon to defend the city, and they distributed food, and guarded major municipal governmental buildings. Since the recovery of Incheon, the students reorganized their unit and expanded it to include more students around Incheon. Due to their impressive activities at the initial phase of the war, ISVF could gain a lot of memberships. At this time, the ISVF was under the control of a detachment of the Ministry of National Defense following the policy of the South Korean government. The ISVF was suddenly ordered to move to a southern province due to Chinese intervention in late 1950. Nearly 3,000 students made their ways to the south without proper supports from the ROK government. Most students faced ordeals and hardships while they were moving toward the south. Eventually, students began their new lives as marines and army soldiers after taking military training. The ISVF and its students showed “passion” of people that was mentioned by Clausewitz. The students sacrificed themselves to save their country without hesitation. At the same time, they demonstrated strong fraternity by caring each other, which encouraged individuals to survive the war.

Statistics

  • 691 Viewed
  • 201 Downloaded

Tools

Issue List

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

Basic Search Advanced Search