Explain is the effect of the Korean War?

The Korean War was a historical event which took place from 1950 to 1953.1 It has held
a great significance as it has impacted the division of the country, solidifying it. Other
nations participation was a consequence of their respective economic systems. The
tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union had eventually increased
which resulted in an escalation of the war. The lasting effects of these tensions will be
thoroughly expanded upon which includes the involvement of the political parties and
the Cold War event. The war showcased the intense geopolitical competition between
communism and democracy. The effect of the Korean War had resulted in lasting
division and ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. It had caused the severe
increase in human casualties and had extreme economic impact on both sides of the
country during the war.

The Korean war began when North Korea invaded South Korea attempting to rule them
both under a communist government. The division of Korea was a temporary end of
the domino effect due to the end of World War II when Japan's colonial rule over Korea
ended in 1945.2 Korea become liberated as Japan had surrendered from occupying the
country. The United States and the Soviet Union had taken control over the northern
and southern regions. The division of the country on the 38th parallel was meant for a
temporary solution with the intention for both to facilitate a peaceful reunification
under one government. However, the escalating tensions between the United States
and the Soviet Union prevented any resolution, and the division became more
permanent over time. The conflict was quickly escalated with the intervention of the
United Nations to support South Korea, while China supported North Korea. The capital
city of South Korea, Seoul, had been traded four times due to the troops of North
Korea constantly progressing across the 38th parallel. China had soon been involved
after General MacArthur had ignored President Truman’s desire for peace and had
escalated the war by approaching the Yalu River where communist China meets North
Korea. This had progressed the war further by escalating the tensions between the
divided state.3 The division of Korea resulted in two ideologically contrasting states
with distinct political systems and economic models. North Korea and it's authorities
embraced a communist ideology with a centralised and autocratic government. On the
other hand, South Korea adhered to a capitalist system embracing democracy. The
economic impact of the war was significant as it disrupted industries and trade in both
countries which led to challenges in the economy. Years later after the war, South
Korea experienced economic growth and development due to the country's focus on
innovation, leading to an industrialised nation. However, North Korea faced economic
challenges and isolation due to its state-controlled economy and focus on isolation.

1
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/a-short-history-of-the-korean-war
2
https://www.history.com/news/japan-colonization-korea
3
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/why-korean-war-never-technically-
ended#:~:text=On%20July%2027%2C%201953%2C%20North,technically%20the%20war%20never
%20did.
North Korea faced food shortage, limited investment from foreign countries and
limited facilities.

The Korean War ended when North Korea signed an armistice on July 27, 1953.4 this
was a temporary solution and agreement to end the hostilities and disastrous affairs.
However, a formal peace treaty to completely abolish the war of North and South
Korea was never agreed upon. Without a formal peace treaty in place to address the
political and ideological differences between both countries, there will be no end for
the mistrust that continue to persist. At the end of the war when the armistice was
declared, a heavily guarded zone known as the demilitarised zone continues as a
reminder of the potential outburst of another war. Despite the efforts to maintain
peace, the unresolved issues and ongoing tensions have kept North and South Korea
on constant alert. Many incidents have occurred such as people crossing the border
and the clashes of both armies have made it evident of the fragility of the current
situation. Both countries haven't gained the trust of one another due to the evident
high military activity and readily armed forces that remain along their own side of the
demilitarised zone (DMZ).5 Both countries have adhered to a different and complicated
paths with North Korea remaining isolated from the world which meant they rarely
traded with other countries. This eventually led it's citizens to a poverty like state with
sparce electricity and products from the US and supporting countries were illegal. The
citizens of North Korea are socially secluded from the outside world due to the heavy
monitoring across the country. South Korea on the other hand operates and
communicates widely with the rest of the world due to it's well political state. The
citizens in South Korea aren't thoroughly monitored allowing for a free country. North
and South Korea have had multiple attempts at communication and cooperation;
however, the underlying mistrust has hindered all efforts for tolerance.6 The lack of a
formal peace treaty has prevented these diplomatic efforts towards reconciliation.
With the help of the United States and it's efforts to employ and uphold strong military
service in the region, it has deterred aggression and allowed a continuation for the
attempt of peace. China has been a long-time ally of North Korea due to the same
ideological and political placements, have assisted North Korea with it's military
service.

The Korean war was an occurrence which had temporarily solidified the division of the
peninsula. This had great geopolitical implications especially during the Cold War era. It
had firmly established the division of both sides of the east and the west. The
conflicting sides of the West had and remains to be governed widely by the United
States and it's allies, and the Eastern countries of different ideologies were run by
China and the Soviet Union. The event from 1950 to 1953 had added to the heightened
global tensions of the Cold War and the battle between communism and democracy. It
had become a war zone for these broader challenges. The Korean Peninsula became a
symbolic battleground, where the principles of communism and democracy clashed
directly. The United States saw the war as an opportunity to confront and contain the
spread of communism in Asia and prevent the widely known 'domino theory', while the

4
https://www.britannica.com/list/korean-war-timeline
5
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/26/world/asia/korea-dmz-north-south-border.html
6
https://history.army.mil/reference/korea/kw-chrono.htm
Soviet Union and China viewed it as a means to expand their influence of communism
in the region. The belief of the domino theory had urged the assistance of majority of
the United Nations which included the United States and it's allies. Many troops from
Australia, United Kingdom, Canada were employed into the battle protecting South
Korea. The fear of the spread of communism, often referred to as the "domino theory,"
led the United States to increase its military presence and involvement in other parts of
Asia, including Vietnam. The war had resulted in both countries exposing extensive
propaganda campaigns aimed at defeating the other side and each calling themselves
the righteous defenders of their homeland and their people.

The violence had experienced a change in military tactics including the use of effective
air power. It had emerged from the Korean War as one of the main military strategies
from both sides of the conflict. both sides employing fighter jets, bombers, and ground-
attack aircraft to gain superiority in the skies. Air power was successful in restraining
the enemy movement and from disrupting and important supply lines. During the
conflict, this portrayed the strategic use of air forces and showcased their capabilities
and opportunities with the modern warfare works. This accomplishment has redefined
the dynamics of modern warfare, establishing the importance of aerial use during
attack. Due to the very segregated countries, the use of these strategies was useful to
further drive out the other part of conflict.
Along with the Cold War, the United Nations response had demonstrated the power of
cooperation and security among the nations.

To conclude, the severity of the war had affected international operation for North
Korea, leaving its citizens isolated and restricted from the world. The effects for South
Korea on the other hand have led to economic growth as the country supports a
democratic state, allowing unrestricted global communication. However, the war
continues to affect the political relations due to the significantly different ideologies,
firmly establishing a divided nation.