38th parallel
The 38th parallel of north latitude (Sampalseon/Samp'alsŏn (삼팔선; 三八線) in Korean) was the original boundary between the Soviet and American occupation zones in Korea established after the surrender of Japan in 1945.
For more details on the dividing of Korea, see: Division of Korea
In 1948, the dividing line became the boundary between the newly independent countries of North and South Korea. At the end of the Korean War (1950-1953), a new border was established through the middle of the Demilitarized Zone, which cuts across the 38th parallel at an acute angle, from southwest to northeast.
The 38th parallel was a very important element in the Korean War because of its dividing Korea exactly in the middle.
- See also: Panmunjeom (P'anmunjŏm)
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