Korea was divided in 1945, following the end of World War II.
Background:
- Japanese Occupation: Korea was under Japanese rule from 1910 to 1945.
- Allied Victory: After Japan's defeat in World War II, the Allied powers, the United States and the Soviet Union, agreed to divide Korea along the 38th parallel.
- Post-War Division: The division was intended to be temporary, but the Cold War tensions between the two superpowers led to the establishment of two separate states: North Korea (supported by the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by the United States).
Key Events:
- 1948: The two Koreas declared their independence, forming the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the North and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the South.
- Korean War (1950-1953): A devastating war broke out between the two Koreas, resulting in millions of casualties. The war ended with an armistice agreement, but no peace treaty was ever signed, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war.
Present Day:
- The two Koreas remain divided, with a heavily fortified border separating them.
- There have been attempts at reconciliation and reunification, but significant challenges remain.
- The division of Korea has had a profound impact on the Korean people and the world.
