WI: Second Korean War in 1976?

As it says on the tin. What if war breaks out over the Axe murder incident in 1976? The US was fresh out of Vietnam, so I imagine any large-scale intervention would be extremely unpopular. Who would win? How does the war play out? Does the USSR or the PRC intervene? How much does the US aid the South, given the domestic situation in the US?
 
It would be a very bloody war My first question is when in 1976 did the ax murder happen? Was it before the death of Mao? I think Mao would have wanted to send troops. Then again was Mao in charge during the last year of his life. There is the persistant image of him as a senile figurehead.If the Chinese do come in I sees bloody stalemate that would hurt Gerald Ford politically. If the Chinese stayout, there would be a bloody US victory, that could help Ford. That is if the North Korean attacks escalate to the point that there is a call for war
 

pnyckqx

Banned
As it says on the tin. What if war breaks out over the Axe murder incident in 1976? The US was fresh out of Vietnam, so I imagine any large-scale intervention would be extremely unpopular. Who would win? How does the war play out? Does the USSR or the PRC intervene? How much does the US aid the South, given the domestic situation in the US?
It would have been over before anyone could have done anything. General Stillwell was loaded for bear in Operation Paul Bunyon. If the N. Koreans had belched loudly during that operation, they'd have ceased to exist as a functioning government.

The Chinese and Soviets weren't about to play with the firepower that the Combined forces had at their disposal for that operation.
 
If the bloody stalement leads to a cease fire in let's say 1079 then Northern Korea is in real trouble. Thier infrastructure is in ruins from bombing and the Soviets can no longer afford to help them rebuild.China is no longer interested in being a foriegn aid donor, Of course,since the war would have killed Chinese American détente maybe it creates an atmosphere where the gang of four could have taken power.
 
It would be a very bloody war My first question is when in 1976 did the ax murder happen? Was it before the death of Mao? I think Mao would have wanted to send troops. Then again was Mao in charge during the last year of his life. There is the persistant image of him as a senile figurehead.If the Chinese do come in I sees bloody stalemate that would hurt Gerald Ford politically. If the Chinese stayout, there would be a bloody US victory, that could help Ford. That is if the North Korean attacks escalate to the point that there is a call for war

This was in August 1976, so about a month before Mao died and in the middle of the Presidential election season. I have no idea of its effect on the Chinese succession or the US elections. I would think that a prolonged conflict would be very unpopular in the US, so neither candidate would want to support a prolonged conflict.
 
I question whether Mao was in charge in August 1976. I doubt that Huo Guofeng ( Sorry I did not look up the correct spelling before posting.) would gave sent troops. As for the US, OTL there was not enough outcry to support a war. As I said before it would take an all out North Korean attack to get enough public support for a war. In that case, North Korea without Chinese help loses well before election day. This does wonders for Gerald Ford's popularity.
 
1974 - 1981 Gerald Ford
1981 - 1989 Walter Mondale
1989 - 1993 Hugh Carey
1993 - 2001 Robert Dole
2001 - 2009 Lamar Alexander
2009 - Barack Obama
 
As it says on the tin. What if war breaks out over the Axe murder incident in 1976? The US was fresh out of Vietnam, so I imagine any large-scale intervention would be extremely unpopular. Who would win? How does the war play out? Does the USSR or the PRC intervene? How much does the US aid the South, given the domestic situation in the US?
What about 1967 and 68 when the USS Peublo was taken and the North kept sending infiltration teams south to try to kill Pak and other South Korean leaders?
 
What about 1967 and 68 when the USS Peublo was taken and the North kept sending infiltration teams south to try to kill Pak and other South Korean leaders?

That might lead to a North Korean win, as the US would be too busy in Vietnam and Mao would be around to send forces to help the North. It would be interesting postwar.

Actually, that might be an excuse for Japan to repeal Article 9 and help the South militarily.
 
If it's that or be overrun, I think the South would take the Japanese help.

South Korea would not be overrun in the 1968 Korean War. There are enough US troops to rescue the South. It may mean calling up reservists. That means that unlike the Vietnam War the Korean conflict is a burden. tThe anti Vietnam War movement becomes much stronger
 
I don't know about China not helping. Mao (Even though he is close to death), and other Soviet/Chinese/Vietnamese leaders may see this as the final defeat of capitalism in mainland Asia.

So, there would definitely be motivation for China, Vietnam, and the USSR to enter the war, at least China and Vietnam though.
 
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