The Korean War was one of the most brutal and deadliest episodes of the Cold War. Upon the surrender of Japan in 1945, the allies agreed to divide the Korean peninsula, once a Japanese colony, into two zones of occupation separated by the 38th Parallel North. The North was awarded to the Soviet Union, while the South was under American supervision.
While the relationship was souring between WW2 allies, the two zones became sovereign nations part of the two blocks, each with a profound desire to unify Korea under their flag. The communist victory in neighbouring China, as well as a pro-communist insurgency in South Korea, incited the North to invade in June 1950. Taken by surprise the South Koreans and their American allies lost control of 90% of their territory within a few weeks, until an American landing operation led the South to regain most ground, all the way to the Chinese border. China in turn intervened and by the Spring of 1951 the fight came to a standstill close to the initial border. After 2 years of this stalemate, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire along the front line, and to the establishment of a 4km wide demilitarized zone along this new border.
While the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, the two countries are still officially at war and the Peninsula remains one of the most militarized region in the World.
The Korean War
