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Japan surrenders. That night, Dean Rusk and Charles Bonesteel consult a map of Asia to determine the boundary line between the Soviet and U.S. zones.
With neither of them being an expert on the country, they select the 38th parallel, instead of a natural barrier.
This boundary was then proposed at the Potsdam Conference.

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South Korea is established, less than a month later so is North Korea.

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U.S. State Secretary of State Dean Acheson gives a speech in which he excludes Korea from America's defense perimeter, but includes Asia.

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Leader of North Korea (Kim Il-Sung) proposes South Korea's liberation to Soviet officials. After several weeks of telegram exchanges, by spring Kim had secured assurances of support for the invasion from Soviet premier Joseph Stalin and Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

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The Congress rejects a $60 million aid bill for South Korea.

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At 4 a.m. North Korea launches a full-scale invasion of South Korea's army positions south of the 38th parallel, and open fire with artillery and mortars after receiving permission from Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator.

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75-100,000 North Korean soldiers pour across the 38th parallel.
11 a.m. North Korea declares war

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United Nations Security Council adopts Resolution 83, authorizing UN member states to provide military assistance to South Korea. The Soviets, who could've vetoed, boycotted the proceedings due to the Nationalist government in Taiwan still occupying China's seat on the Security Council.

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The ROKA demolishes the bridge across the Han River trapping soldiers from the 5th Division and killing hundreds of refugees evacuating the city. North Korean forces were able to cross the river later that day and capture Seoul.

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North Korean troops reach their farthest point in advance. And although thousands of UN troops have arrived to reinforce SK, months of fighting have reduced the area under their control to a 5,000-square-mile rectangle centered on the critical southeastern port of Pusan. By the time North Korean invasion force reaches the Pusan Perimeter, its strength is reduced to nearly half and is almost lacking entirely in armor.

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X Corps, a force led by U.S. Maj. Gen. Edward Almond, stages a brave amphibious landing at Inchon, 150 miles behind enemy lines. The plan, conceived by UN commander Gen. Douglas MacArthur, is an unqualified success

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Seoul (South Korea's capital) is liberated by the UN forces, under the Command of the Army General Douglas MacArthur.

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UN destroys the bulk of the North Korean army, presses on to North Korea, and now approaches the Yalu River. CPVF troops under veteran commander Gen. Peng Dehuai cross into North Korea and inflict serious losses on the lead units of the UN Advance.

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The U.S. Marines at the Chosin Reservoir begin their "attack in a different direction" as they engage in a fighting retreat to the port of Hungnam. Two entire Chinese armies were tasked to destruct the 1st Marine Division. They succeed in driving the American force from the North Korean territory but pay an enormous price of 80,000 Chinese troops killed/wounded, and the CPVF Ninth Army Group is rendered combat-ineffective for months. This occurrence becomes one of the most-storied episodes in U.S. Marine Corps history.

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Chinese and North Korean forces recapture Seoul

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Seoul now changes hands for the fourth time, after being liberated from North Korea and the Chinese. The city has been devastated by fighting, making its population reduced to a fraction of its pre-war size.

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U.S. President Harry Truman has relieved (fired) Gen. MacArthur from command for insubordination and his unwillingness to prosecute a limited war.

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Truce talks between the UN and the communists begin at Kaesong. The negotiations do not mark an end to the war; the fighting continues for another two years. In October the peace talks relocate to the village of P'anmunjom.