In July 1950, the Canadian government agreed to contribute Canadian troops to a UN force that was fighting with South Koreans against an invasion launched by North Korea. At the same time, Canadians worked hard to encourage a negotiated peace based on the status quo, an action rejected and resented by all parties, including the Americans. Although the UN vote had been masterminded by the US, PM Louis St. Laurent, and External Affairs minister Lester Pearson beleieved that Canada was taking part in a UN, rather than a US operation. Twenty thousand Canadian infantry fought with the Commonwealth Division in Korea between 1951 and 1953. Canadian casualties numbered 312 dead and 1,557 wounded.
