Conflict had been brewing on the Korean peninsula since the end of World War II, following its arbitrary division by the Allies along the 38 degrees North line of latitude, the 38th Parallel. The area north of this line was controlled by a Soviet-backed communist regime led by Kim Il-sung, while elections sponsored by the United Nations (UN) resulted in a democratic government in the south. Although reunification negotiations continued, tension intensified, and cross-border skirmishes and raids increased.
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