Korean War Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here's a look at the Korean War. Although hostilities ceased in 1953, there has been no formal end to the war. Causes of the Korean War Korea was under Japanese rule before and during World War II, and was divided into two parts after the Japanese surrender. The Soviet Union occupied the area north of the 38th parallel and the United States occupied the area south until 1948. Two new ideologically opposite countries were established in 1948: The Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). North Korea wants…