The Korean War, which lasted from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, was a conflict between North and South Korea. It began when North Korea invaded South Korea after a series of border battles and uprisings in the South. The United Nations supported South Korea, with the United States as its primary backer, while North Korea received support from China and the Soviet Union. On July 27, 1953, the war ended with an armistice.<br /><br />After Japan&#39;s surrender to the Allies on August 15, 1945, at the end of World War II, Korea, which had been under Japanese rule for 35 years, was divided along the 38th parallel by the United States and the Soviet Union. This division led to the establishment of two sovereign entities in 1948: the Democratic People&#39;s Republic of Korea in the north, led by the communist ruler Kim Il-sung, and the Republic of Korea in the south, led by the authoritarian Syngman Rhee. Both claimed to be the legitimate authority for all of Korea and rejected the border as a long-term solution.<br /><br />The Korean War began when troops from the North Korean People&#39;s Army crossed the border into South Korea. In response, the UN Security Council declared it an invasion and authorized the formation of a UN Command to repel the North Korean forces. The UN forces, primarily composed of US troops, launched a daring counteroffensive from Incheon in September 1950, cutting off the North Korean troops and forcing them to retreat. However, Chinese forces from the People&#39;s Volunteer Army joined the war effort in October 1950, leading to a UN withdrawal from North Korea. Chinese troops remained stationed in North Korea, and the conflict continued with various offensives until an armistice was reached in July 1953.