The U.S. military aiding South Korean during the Korean War
After Japan lost control of Korea, the Soviet Union ruled over North Korea and the United States gained control of South Korea, separating the two countries even more. The two countries attempted to reunite Korea but failed when North Korea refused to let United Nations’ supervisors into the country. The two Koreas were supposed to hold an election for a leader on the same day but only South Korea did. South Korea elected Syngman Rhee, a non-communist, as their leader and in response, North Korea held their election. They elected Kim II Sung, a communist, as president. The two countries difference in political preferences caused the countries to stay divided. In 1948, South Korea became the Republic of Korea and North Korea became the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Unfortunately, the tension between the two countries escalated to violence, which began the Korean War. In 1950, North Korea invaded the South in a well planned attack. While the United States and the United Nations aided South Korea, China and the Soviet Union supported North Korea. After four years of brutal fighting the Korean Armistice Agreement was created and signed on July 27, 1953. The agreement left the two countries separated.