The division between North and South Korea has its roots following World War II. In the year 1945, Korea was now free from Japanese colonial rule, which had been prevailing since 1910. After the defeat of Japan, the Allied powers had no unanimity on a common line of action in regard to Korea. Until a more permanent solution could be negotiated, the Korean Peninsula was temporarily divided along the 38th Parallel, the Soviet Union assumed control of the north while the United States took possession of the south. Indeed, this division was supposed to be temporary but by the year 1948, a division into two separate governments solidified.
The Korean war: 1950-1953
Tensions between North and South Korea escalated rapidly after their separation. On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces, under the leadership of Kim Il-sung and supported by the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea in an attempt to unify the peninsula under communist rule. This invasion marked the beginning of the Korean War, which lasted until an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.
The war was characterized by bitter fighting and massive casualties, with various estimates as high as 2.5 million dead. The United Nations, under the leadership of the United States, intervened for South Korea, while North Korea was supported by Chinese troops and Soviet military advisers. There were many boundary changes during the conflict, but the war ultimately ended in a stalemate.
The 38th parallel: A symbol of division
Instead, the 38th Parallel was a line of latitude that became the ideological boundary between Northern communism and Southern democracy. After three years of bitter conflict, an armistice agreement brought an effective ceasefire over this line, with no signed formal peace treaty between both parties. The line adjusted slightly in peace negotiations and remained one critical boundary separating North and South Korea.
In addition to this boundary, a DeMilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established, which covered about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) on either side of the 38th Parallel. This is among the most militarized borders in the world and has been serving as a buffer zone between the two nations.
International support: Allies and influences
The international relations of North and South Korea have been highly influenced by their respective alliances and supporters.
- North Korea: The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or DPRK, was traditionally allied with China and Russia. As of today, China continues to be North Korea’s most significant trading partner in both economic and military spheres because China depends on having the country as a buffer between its own borders and U.S.-aligned South Korea. More recently, new developments have North Korea reinforcing relations with Russia, especially in the wake of their mutual defense agreement in June 2024.
- South Korea: ROK has full support from the United States, which has kept troops stationed on South Korean territory since the end of the Korean War. The U.S. commitment involves about 28,500 troops stationed there as part of a security alliance that deters North Korean aggression. Apart from that, South Korea has established strategic relations with other countries like Japan, United Kingdom and Australia to reinforce its defense against the threats from the North.
Current implications
The division of Korea certainly stands among the most resilient results of Cold War political order: whereas North Korea has moved toward state totalitarianism with a strongly military-based independent national doctrine, or Juche, South Korea emerged as a democratic society with a robust economy. Nonetheless, tensions between them have not abated.
However, aside from occasional diplomatic engagements that seek to defuse hostilities or reunification talks, fundamental differences between the two sides on governance, ideology, and national identity have persisted. The situation remains complicated due to the external influence of global powers such as China and the United States, which continue to shape regional dynamics.
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