The UFP resolution originated following the SC’s deadlock in 1950 during the Korean War, which began when North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel on 25 June 1950. The same day, the SC met and determined that the action constituted a “breach of the peace” and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the withdrawal of “North Korean forces” (S/RES/82). When the matter initially arose before the SC, the USSR was boycotting the SC due to the exclusion of representatives from the People’s Republic of China from taking up the Chinese seat on the SC.1 During the USSR’s boycott, in the span of roughly two weeks between 25 June and 7 July, the SC passed three resolutions that are considered to jointly have given authority to the US to lead action (the use of force) to repel the North Korean attack (S/RES/82 (1950)); S/RES/83 (1950); S/RES/84 (1950)).
After the initial SC resolution, the USSR returned to the SC. The USSR’s assumption of the SC presidency in August 1950 led US officials to conclude that no further SC action on the Korean Peninsula would , and reignited discussions about ways that the GA could support further action on Korea.2 On 20 September 1950, the US requested that its proposal for “United Action for Peace” – enabling the GA to consider and make recommendations on matters where the SC had been unable to act – be included as an agenda item in the 5th session (A/1377). The draft resolution for “Uniting for Peace” (proposed by the US) was adopted by the GA on 3 November 1950 by a vote of 52 in favour, 5 against and 2 abstentions (A/RES/377(V)).
Subsequently, in January 1951 the SC unanimously removed the matter, the “Complaint of aggression on the Republic of Korea” from its agenda (S/RES/90). The GA subsequently took up the issue and passed resolutions recommending measures related to the use of force, including cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of foreign forces, as well as a later resolution establishing a Repatriation Commission in Korea.
Notes
- Jean Krasno and Mitushi Das, “The Uniting for Peace resolution and other ways of circumventing the authority of the Security Council”, in The UN Security Council and the Politics of International Authority, Bruce Cronin and Ian Hurd, eds. (New York, Routledge, 2008), p. 178. ↩︎
- Ibid., pp. 178–179. ↩︎