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38th parallel

Definition

The 38th parallel is the line of latitude that divided the Korean Peninsula into North and South Korea following World War II. It served as a demarcation line between the Soviet-backed communist government in the north and the U.S.-backed democratic government in the south.

Analogy

Imagine you have a cake, and you need to divide it into two equal halves. You use a ruler to draw a straight line right in the middle of the cake, splitting it into two equal parts. Similarly, the 38th parallel acted as a dividing line, splitting Korea into two separate countries.

Related terms

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ): The DMZ is an area along the border between North and South Korea where military activities are prohibited. It serves as a buffer zone between both countries.

Korean War: The Korean War was a conflict that began when North Korea invaded South Korea across the 38th parallel in 1950. It lasted for three years until an armistice agreement was reached.

Cold War: The Cold War refers to the political tension between Western democracies led by the United States and Eastern Bloc countries led by the Soviet Union after World War II. The division of Korea at the 38th parallel became part of this larger global conflict.