The Korean War (1950-53) began as a conflict between North Korea and South Korea and eventually involved the United States and 19 other nations. An estimated three million people lost their lives during the war. For Americans who think that only GIs and their United Nations contingent comrades fought effectively, this volume aims to be a surprising introduction to the valor and sacrifice of the South Korean army. This comprehensive view of the war from the South Korean perspective has not been previously available in English translation. "The Korean War" comprises three volumes. Volume two continues the account of the progress of the war, paying particular attention to the diplomatic and strategic background of the decision by the Chinese to intervene in late 1950. The volume describes the painstaking preparation by the communist forces, who came close to overwhelming the South Korean and United Nations troops, and follows the course of the conflict through the allied counteroffensive in the spring of 1951 to the stalemate and armistice of June 1951.