World Perspective : Will Korea’s Truce Hold?

American forces have been on duty in South Korea for more than 40 years, standing guard over an armistice agreement that never evolved into a permanent peace treaty. With tensions rising over North Korea’s nuclear intensions, more U.S. troops and equipment are on the way. U.S. military commanders say the move is larely for logistical reasons, allowing easy movement of U.S. equipment on a non-emergency basis. Specialists say the reinforcements are merely symbolic, a show of force while the Clinton Administration works out diplomatic solutions.

20th-Century milestones

1910: Japanese make Korea part of Japan

1945: Soviets occupy northern Korea, and U.S. forces occupy south after WWII.

1948: Korea becomes two states

1950-53: Korean War

ARMISTICE LINE: July, 1953

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NORTH KOREA

Capital: Pyongyang

Area: 47,000 square miles

Population: 23 million (64% urban)

Government: Though the constitution grants power to the people, the Communist Party holds the real power. The national government is headed by a president, currently Kim Il Sung, who heads the Central People’s Committee, the most powerful government body. The legislature, called the Supreme People’s Assembly, elects the 20 or so members of the committee.

Disputed nuclear facilities: Yongbyon

SOUTH KOREA

Capital: Seoul

Area: 38,000 square miles

Population: 44 million (57% urban)

Government: A republic headed by a president, currently Kim Young Sam. The president is elected to a five-year term and cannot be reelected. He appoints a prime minister to carry out government operations and 15 to 30 state council members to head government departments. The legislature--the National Assembly--consists of 276 members.

MILITARY STRENGTH

North Korea South Korea Total active armed forces: 1.2 million 650,000 Defense spending: $5.5 billion (1992) $11.1 billion (1992) Active infantry divisions: 30 21 Tanks: 3,500 1,800 Field artillery: 8,400 4,500 Surface-to-air missiles: 54 24 Multiple rocket launchers: 2,400 114

CURRENT U.S. COMMITMENT

Army troops: 26,000

Air force: 9,500

Combat aircraft: 84

U.S. missiles on the way

The United States is sending Patriot missiles, which became familiar to the public during the 1991 Persian Gulf War when they were used to defend Israel and Saudi Arabia against Iraqi Scud missiles. They could be used to defend U.S. and South Korean military installations from North Korean missiles.

The Patriot force includes:

* 1 Patriot missile battalion (includes 24 to 48 launchers)

* 850 soldiers from Ft. Bliss, Tex., to operate the batteries

Major U.S. Bases

Army Yongsan Garrison Tongduchon Camp Red Cloud Camp Humphreys Camp Henry *

Air Force Sokcho Osan Air Base Kunsan Air Base Pusan Air Base

BACKGROUND ON THE CURRENT CONFLICT

North Korea, a hard-line Marxist state, insists its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. But its rejection of full inspections has heightened suspicions that it is developing a nuclear arsenal. South Korean President Kim Young Sam said deployment of the Patriot missiles plus resumption of military exercises with the United States were in order because the Communist north has failed to allow full nuclear inspections and swap envoys with the south.

Since 1953, an uneasy peace

One of the bloodiest wars in history began on June 25, 1950 when Communist North Korea invaded South Korea. By September, North Korean troops had pushed to the Pusan Perimter. In a surprise move, U.N. forces landed at Inchon. The U.N. force--90% American--pushed as far north as the Yalu River by October. China entered the war that same month, pushing U.N. forces back below the 38th Parallel. North and South Korea signed an armistice in July, 1953. The toll: 580,000 U.N. troops and 1.6 million Communist troops killed or wounded.

Sources: U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency; “The Military Balance, 1993-94”; CIA Factbook; World Book; Associated Press; Times staff

Research by CHRIS ERSKINE / Los Angeles Times