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MacArthur wanted to cut the supply lines of the North Korean army.

Inchon was what is called a turning movement. Instead of going at an enemy force, you go around them and capture some strategic objective in the enemy's rear which totally disrupts their ability to function.

North Korean supply lines ran through Seoul. Seoul, being close to Inchon, was vulnerable to an amphibious assault. The North Koreans were not defending Seoul adequately because all their troops were committed to breaking the Pusan Perimeter. They never expected a landing at Inchon(see David Halberstram's "The Coldest Winter").

Basically, landing at Inchon would take the North Koreans by surprise. Taking Seoul would cut their supply lines. The risks were much less than going straight at the North Koreans' front lines. And it would force the North Koreans to abandon the invasion of South Korea. That is why General MacArthur took the risk.

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12y ago

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