In a paragraph of 3-5 sentences, describe causes of the Korean War

1 answer

The Korean War, which erupted in 1950, was primarily caused by the longstanding division of Korea following Japan's defeat in World War II. The peninsula was split along the 38th parallel into two zones of occupation, with the Soviet Union controlling the north and the United States managing the south. This division solidified ideological differences, with North Korea adopting communism and South Korea aligning with capitalism. Tensions escalated as both sides sought to unify Korea under their respective governments, culminating in North Korea's invasion of the South. The conflict was also fueled by Cold War dynamics, as both superpowers supported their aligned Korean regimes, leading to a broader struggle between communism and democracy.