The Korean War took place from 1950 to 1953 and was fought between North Korea, backed by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, supported by the United States and other United Nations forces. The war began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean troops invaded South Korea, aiming to unify the peninsula under communist control.
The conflict saw significant military engagements and shifting frontlines, with the U.S. and its allies initially pushing back the North Koreans but later facing a counteroffensive from Chinese forces. The war was marked by brutal fighting and widespread destruction, resulting in millions of military and civilian casualties.
An armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, but no formal peace treaty was established, leaving the Korean Peninsula divided along the 38th parallel. The war solidified the division between North and South Korea, leading to ongoing tensions and a significant military presence in the region. The conflict also deepened Cold War divisions and influenced U.S. foreign policy in Asia.