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OTL in 1953 Syngman Rhee wished to continue the Korean War despite the war weariness of both the UN/US and Communist sides, so that he could pursue his objective of a reunified Korea under non-Commie control. Rhee's actions in this regard included unilaterally freeing 25,000 NK and Chinese POWs without consulting the US. WI he'd been able to successfully continue fighting using ROK forces ? Would the US have been compelled to keep the 8th Army in the fight, and how would a prolonged Korean War have proceeded ?
Rhee made this threat before the warring parties signed the armistace. If this were to happen, the Panmunjom talks would end and the war would continue. Since both sides were heavily entrenched, the US/ROK/UN would not get very far. Unfortunately for the ROK President, his allies were war weary and wanted an end. Its likely a US supported coup would displace Rhee if he did not come to his senses soon.
This thread did not see much interest when it was first posted 9 years ago, but as AHF pointed out in the original thread it brings up several interesting points. For example, Rhee was getting apeshit crazier by the year with his senility and ego - he almost believed the 1960 riots(which were against his rule) were supporting him. He hated the Japanese, he hated the Americans, he hated the Communists - if anyone wants to do anything his own way it'll be Rhee.

The problem is of course that nobody wanted this war to go any further, while still trying to recover from WWII. The war at this point was battling over small hills and mountains, with the front stabilised across all fronts. But the main question is this: could the armistice be signed with a smaller North Korea, say, around the 39th perimeter? This significantly changes things, as the north basically lost 60% of their arable lands and will now(literally) merely serve as a buffer state between South Korea and China. But how can this be possible?

My WI beyond the OP hinges on believing the Chinese to also be tired from the long war and needing peace as soon as possible; unlike the US, they would've been logistically and materially restricted instead of by domestic politics. And the WI is this: would it've been possible for the US to either conduct an amphibious attack above the 38th parallel(in Hamhung or Nampo), or conduct several feint attacks of such to decrease pressure while making advances on the main front? What if the US did this in support of Rhee? How would the Soviets react? How would the US public?
Interested in hearing comments and responses.
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