The Korean War Began 74 Years Ago—Here’s How It Reshaped the World

A surprise attack in 1950 plunged the peninsula into war. Decades later, the unresolved conflict still haunts diplomacy, families, and the border.

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2025 December 4 . 1:13 PM

1 min read

In the image there is a book with army tank and jeeps on it, it seems like a war along with a text... — In the image there is a book with army tank and jeeps on it, it seems like a war along with a text above it.

The Korean War Began 74 Years Ago—Here’s How It Reshaped the World

On 25 June 1950, North Korea crossed into South Korea, sparking the Korean War. This conflict quickly escalated into the first major proxy war of the Cold War. Tensions between communist North Korea and Western-backed South Korea had been building for years before the outbreak of hostilities.

North Korea's invasion received support from the Soviet Union, while the United States backed South Korea. The United Nations Security Council authorized military intervention, presenting it as a collective UN mission rather than a U.S.-led operation. Fifteen nations, including Britain, Turkey, Ethiopia, Canada, and Australia, contributed troops or medical support under the UN banner.

The Korean War reshaped global politics, solidifying Cold War divisions and leaving Korea divided along ideological lines. The armistice remains in effect today, with ongoing tensions between North and South Korea. The conflict's human toll and unresolved status continue to impact regional and global politics.