Korean Political History I: Chapter 4, Exercise 1 — Possible Solution
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TASK
Explain why the Soviet boycott mattered to the events of June 1950, and say
which part the sources state and which part is inference.

ANSWER
STATED BY THE SOURCES
- UN Security Council Resolution 83 (27 June 1950) determined the attack was a
  breach of the peace and urged members to furnish assistance to the
  Republic of Korea.
- The vote was 7 in favor, 1 against (Yugoslavia), with Egypt and India
  present but not voting.
- The Soviet Union did not veto it because it was boycotting Security Council
  meetings, protesting that China's seat was held by the Republic of China
  (Taiwan) and not the People's Republic of China.
- The resolution effectively authorized international military intervention.

INFERENCE
- That the resolution could not have passed with a Soviet delegate present,
  which assumes a veto would have been used. The source does not say this.

CAUTION
Do not claim the boycott "caused" the intervention. The sources say it
removed a possible veto.