Korean War: How the North and South Were Divided

At the end of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union split Korea in two at the 38th parallel in order to disarm Japanese forces. This led to the creation of the Soviet-backed Communist North Korea and the U.S.-backed South Korea in 1948. Two years later, the North invaded the South in an effort to reunite the country, kick-starting a war involving multiple world powers. The North, who were supported by China and the Soviets, captured Seoul within days but was pushed back past the 38th parallel by the United Nations and South Korean forces. Multiple offensives and counteroffensives saw Seoul, which is the capital of the South, captured and recaptured on multiple occasions. By July 1951, Seoul was once again under the South's control, and the front line had been stabilized at the 38th parallel. An armistice was eventually signed in July 1953, which led to the creation of the Demilitarized zone, with the country still technically at war to this day.