[A Hidden Victory of the Korean War] The Battle of Paro Lake: How the ROK Army Crushed the Chinese Forces


The Battle of Paro Lake, fought from May 26 to 30, 1951, around Hwacheon Reservoir in Gangwon Province, was one of the most decisive victories achieved by the Republic of Korea Army during the Korean War.

The ROK 6th Infantry Division first withstood a massive Chinese offensive and then launched a powerful counterattack, inflicting devastating losses on the retreating enemy forces. This victory effectively brought the Chinese Spring Offensive to an end and marked an important turning point as the ROK Army regained the initiative on the battlefield.

Following the battle, Hwacheon Reservoir came to be known as Paro Lake (破虜湖), meaning “Lake of the Defeated Enemy,” commemorating the heavy losses suffered by Chinese forces in the area.

In this article, we will examine the background of the Battle of Paro Lake, how the fighting unfolded, and how this victory changed the course of the Korean War.


1. Background of the Battle of Paro Lake

In May 1951, Chinese forces launched a massive southward offensive as part of their Sixth Phase Offensive, also known as the Chinese Spring Offensive.

At the time, the ROK 6th Infantry Division had successfully held its defensive positions against fierce Chinese attacks along the Yongmunsan front in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. After stopping the enemy offensive, the division immediately began pursuing the retreating Chinese forces.



The pursuit that began with the Battle of Yongmunsan gradually developed into a large-scale encirclement and annihilation operation. The ROK 6th Infantry Division relentlessly pursued the retreating Chinese forces as they withdrew toward Hwacheon Reservoir in Gangwon Province. As the pursuit continued, full-scale fighting broke out around what is now known as Paro Lake.


2. Fierce Fighting and a Decisive ROK Victory

Working alongside UN forces, including U.S. armored units and Marines, the ROK 6th Infantry Division moved to encircle Chinese forces around Hwacheon Reservoir after their routes of retreat had been cut off.



After five days of fierce fighting from May 26 to 30, 1951, ROK and UN forces achieved a major victory against three Chinese divisions.


- Chinese troops killed: approximately 24,000

- Chinese troops captured: approximately 2,600


As a result of the battle, large numbers of Chinese troops who were unable to retreat became trapped around Hwacheon Reservoir. The devastating losses inflicted during the fighting significantly weakened the Chinese forces and dealt a major blow to their combat capabilities.


3. The Origin of the Name “Paro Lake (破虜湖)” — “The Lake Where the Enemy Was Defeated”

The lake was originally an artificial reservoir known as Hwacheon Reservoir, created by the construction of the Hwacheon Dam during the Japanese colonial period.

In 1955, after the Korean War had entered the armistice period, President Syngman Rhee visited the area to commemorate the remarkable achievements of the soldiers who had fought there.

He personally inscribed the name “Paro Lake” (破虜湖), meaning “the lake where the enemy was defeated,” in honor of the victory over the Chinese forces. From that point onward, Hwacheon Reservoir came to be widely known by its present name, Paro Lake.




Even today, the Hwacheon Paro Lake Monument stands near Paro Lake, commemorating the ROK Army’s great victory and honoring the soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives in the battle.


4. Why We Should Remember the Battle of Paro Lake

The Battle of Paro Lake was a historic victory that greatly restored the morale of the ROK Army, which had been shaken by the retreat following the Chinese offensive of January 1951. The ROK Army successfully anticipated Chinese tactics and carried out an effective encirclement and pursuit operation, achieving a decisive victory. The battle also played an important role in securing territory that would eventually lie north of today’s Demilitarized Zone.

Today, the lake viewed from the Paro Lake Observatory appears beautiful and peaceful. Yet behind this tranquil landscape lies the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of countless ROK soldiers who risked and gave their lives to defend their country.

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