The 38th parallel in Korea has become almost as famous as another imaginary line, the equator. The political history of the 38th: Origin. Three days before Japan’s surrender, Russian troops ...

The Soviet Union occupied Korean territory north of the 38th parallel; the United States occupied the south. The north inherited much of the infrastructure—bridges, railroads, hydroelectric ...

6/9/1951, Library of Congress The war broke out on June 25, 1950 when North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel, invading South Korea. North Korean leader Kim Il-sung launched the attack once ...

China responded to the approaching UN force by sending over 250,000 Chinese “volunteers” into North Korea. These volunteers helped to push the UN forces back across the 38th parallel.