ABSTRACT
The Korean War had evolved into military gridlock. The numerical superiority in troops enjoyed by the Communist side was roughly offset by the United Nations Command's (UNC) control of the sides and neighboring seas and by more modem and superior UNC weapons. The international and domestic implications of the US leadership change were thus propitious for a settlement or an expansion of the war. The issue of voluntary or nonforcible repatriation of prisoners of war had become the main sticking point delaying the implementation of an armistice. The President-elect's visit to Korea shortly before Dwight D. Eisenhower inauguration not only indicated to domestic and foreign audiences that the conduct of the war might soon change, but signaled to the People's Republic of China that this change was a top priority. Eisenhower was sensitive to public opinion on matters both during the election campaign and after his inauguration.
