80 The Korean War Trivia Questions with Answers
80 public questions with answers, drawn from the well. How many can you answer?
This Korean War trivia hub examines the conflict’s military alliances, commanders, air war, battles, geography, and prisoner-of-war history. Questions range from the number of UN member states that sent combat forces to the top-scoring Soviet ace, the US pilot with the most aerial victories, and the country that supplied the largest non-US contingent.
Other topics include the capital of North Korea, a famous 1953 hill battle, the first US Marine Corps transport helicopter squadron deployed to Korea, and the South Korean island that hosted a major prisoner-of-war camp. It suits history classes, veterans’ history discussions, serious pub quizzes, and military-history game nights.
Who was the top-scoring Soviet ace of the Korean War, with 22 aerial victories?
Answer
Nikolai Sutyagin
Which Korean War hill was the site of a major battle in 1953 and inspired a 1959 film?
Answer
Pork Chop Hill
What is the capital of North Korea?
Answer
Pyongyang
Which US Air Force pilot achieved the most aerial victories in the Korean War (16)?
Answer
Joseph C. McConnell
Which US Marine general commanded the 1st Marine Division at the Chosin Reservoir?
Answer
Oliver P. Smith
Which US Navy aircraft carrier was the first to launch jet combat missions in the Korean War?
Answer
USS Valley Forge
Which North Korean leader ordered the invasion of South Korea in 1950?
Answer
Kim Il-sung
Who was the first President of South Korea?
Answer
Syngman Rhee
What was the Dutch volunteer battalion in the Korean War called?
Answer
Netherlands Detachment United Nations
What Ethiopian unit fought with UN forces in the Korean War?
Answer
Kagnew Battalion
Which Danish hospital ship served under the UN during the Korean War?
Answer
MS Jutlandia
Which British-led formation was created in Korea in July 1951?
Answer
1st Commonwealth Division
On what date did UN forces recapture Seoul after the Inchon landing?
Answer
September 28, 1950
Which UN Security Council resolution recommended military assistance to South Korea?
Answer
Resolution 83
What operation repatriated remaining Korean War prisoners after the armistice?
Answer
Operation Big Switch
Which airfield near Seoul was captured after the Inchon landing?
Answer
Kimpo Airfield
What was the code name for the UN amphibious landing at Inchon?
Answer
Operation Chromite
Which general commanded UN forces during the Inchon landing?
Answer
Douglas MacArthur
What buffer zone was created by the Korean Armistice Agreement?
Answer
Korean Demilitarized Zone
What line of latitude roughly divided Korea before the Korean War?
Answer
38th parallel north
Which British regiment's 1st Battalion was surrounded on Gloster Hill?
Answer
Gloucestershire Regiment
Which Indian general chaired the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission?
Answer
K. S. Thimayya
What was the April 1953 exchange of sick and wounded Korean War prisoners called?
Answer
Operation Little Switch
Which U.S. president was in office when the Korean Armistice was signed?
Answer
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Which U.S. general signed the Korean Armistice for the UN Command?
Answer
Mark W. Clark
Which U.S. Marine division fought in the Chosin Reservoir campaign?
Answer
1st Marine Division
On what date did the Battle of Inchon begin?
Answer
September 15, 1950
Which U.S. Army division supplied the soldiers of Task Force Smith?
Answer
24th Infantry Division
Which UN Security Council resolution condemned North Korea's June 1950 invasion?
Answer
Resolution 82
Which North Korean capital did UN forces capture in October 1950?
Answer
Pyongyang
What is the official name of South Korea's army?
Answer
Republic of Korea Army
Which peninsula was the main theater of the Korean War?
Answer
Korean Peninsula
Which U.S. president sent American forces after North Korea's 1950 invasion?
Answer
Harry S. Truman
On what date did North Korea launch the invasion that began the Korean War?
Answer
June 25, 1950
The Korean War trivia — quick answers
What are good Korean War trivia questions?
Useful Korean War questions cover UN participation, air combat, major hills and battles, military units, prisoner-of-war camps, and the geography of the Korean Peninsula. Examples include asking which country contributed the most non-US UN troops, which pilot recorded the most US victories, and where a major POW camp was located.
How hard is Korean War trivia?
Korean War trivia ranges from basic history to specialist military knowledge. Identifying North Korea’s capital or the conflict’s broad setting is relatively accessible. Questions about Soviet aces, Marine helicopter squadrons, UN troop contributions, individual battles, and prisoner-of-war sites are more challenging.
When did the Korean War take place?
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea. Major fighting continued until the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953. The armistice stopped most combat but did not constitute a formal peace treaty.
Which countries fought in the Korean War?
North Korea fought with substantial support from China and material assistance from the Soviet Union. South Korea was supported by a United Nations Command led by the United States, with combat and medical contributions from multiple countries. The conflict therefore became an international confrontation within the Korean Peninsula.
What was the Korean War armistice?
The Korean Armistice Agreement of July 27, 1953, established a ceasefire and created the Korean Demilitarized Zone near the former battle line. It was signed by military representatives of the United Nations Command, North Korea, and China. South Korea did not sign the agreement, and no comprehensive peace treaty followed.