The end of World War II by Germany’s and Japan’s surrender brought a major socio-political transformation in the colonialised nations of Asia. The independence of the Korean Peninsula from the Japanese imperialism was not smoothly implemented for a peaceful settlement. Rather, the ideological camps of communism (socialism) and democracy (capitalism) dominated in the region, which became the hub of the Cold War in the late 1940s and the 1950s. The local citizens confronted the political conflict for the unified Korea. The US allied with the UN, turning against North Korea and its socialist allies. Meanwhile, India emerged in the UN for the Korean issues. Then, how did India, the new international leader, involve the process of the post-colonial unification (1948–1950) with the major powers (the US, the Soviet Union, China and the UK)?This seminar explores the non-military initiatives of India as a ‘neutral power’ through the cases of their authority within the United Nations (temporary) Commission on Korea, the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance, and Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission and Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. Dr Kim argues that the soft diplomacy of India strategically established the foundation of a peacekeeping mission on the Korean Peninsula (1947-1955) even though the politico-historical relationship with the Soviet Union and China frequently caused serious misunderstandings for South Korea.

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