In the context of the Korean War, which began in June 1950, the Bloody Gulch massacre involved the systematic execution of seventy-five American prisoners of war by North Korean troops. The incident occurred shortly after the United States began sending forces to support South Korea following the North's invasion. The POWs, captured during skirmishes, were taken to an area known as Bloody Gulch, where they were grouped together under the pretext of being relocated or released. Instead, they were executed on the spot. Reports indicate that many were blindfolded and shot in cold blood, reflecting the harsh realities of warfare at that time.

The purpose of the massacre was twofold: to instill fear among American troops and to display the North Korean resolve to maintain their grip on the territories they occupied. The brutality of this act served as a grim reminder of the treatment POWs faced during the conflict and raised significant concerns regarding the conduct of war, leading to debates within military and political circles about prisoner treatment and wartime ethics. This incident, along with others, contributed to the already tense atmosphere and harsh conditions of the war, further solidifying the North Korean army's reputation for ruthlessness.

After the incident, the American military responded with fervor, heightening their efforts to rescue remaining POWs and prevent future massacres. The event was one of numerous atrocities reported throughout the Korean War, drastically altering public perception of the conflict both domestically and internationally. The massacre highlighted an urgent need for established protocols regarding the treatment of POWs, which would later influence future military engagements and international law concerning warfare.