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Japan formally annexes Korea as a colony.
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The Cold War was clearly seen in the Korean Peninsula. After WWII, the Soviet Union was in control of the northern half (communist) and U.S. was in control of the southern half (capitalist). The nation was divided along the 38th parallel.
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In the last days of WWII, Russians arrive in North Korea.
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Soviet forces complete their occupation of North Korea, halting their southward advance through the country exactly at the 38th Parallel, as agreed at the Potsdam Conference.
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The U.S. insisted on supporting a free South Korea and believed if any additional countries in Southeast Asia went to a communist form of governent, others would quickly follow. President Harry S. Truman pledges American assistance to any nation in the world threatened by Communism.
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North Korean troops crossed over the38th parallel and invaded South Korea.
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Communist North Korean troops launch their invasion against the South past the 38th parallel.
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President Harry Truman, without a formal declaration of war from Congress, ordered U.S. troops to help South Korea in this U.N. "police action".
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North Korea advances capturing Seoul, Osan, and Daejeon.
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General Douglas MacArthur arrives and is able to drive the Communists north of the 38th parallel into Pusan.
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Chinese leader, Mao Zedong, is angered by the progress of the U.N. and forces Americans back to 38th parallel.
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Both sides are attacking, but neither have had any success in pentrating the country.
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When Chinese troops crossed the border to help North Korea, a stalemate soon developed. Both sides ceased- fire in 1953 leaving the land divided nearly at the same point as it had been before the war
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The armistice signed on July 27,1953 kept the 38th parallel as the boundary between North and South Korea.
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Today North Korea remains a communist country under the rule of Premiere, Kim Jong-Un, the youngest son of Kim Jong-Il. The country remains the ally of the People's Republic of China and other communist countries. Although North Korea has heavy industry and a well-armed military, there are various problems, including poor farm production and famine.
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On the other hand, South Korea, a democratic country, has been more prosperous because of trade and foreign aid from the U.S. and other wealthy western countries.
