What triggered the Korean War?

The Korean War was triggered by the invasion of North Korea into South Korea. This invasion occurred on June 25, 1950, when the North Korean military, supported by the Soviet Union and China, crossed the 38th parallel, which had been established as the dividing line between the two countries after World War II. The North sought to unify the peninsula under its communist government, leading to a rapid escalation of hostilities. Thus, the invasion marked the beginning of armed conflict, prompting a response from the United Nations, particularly the United States, which sought to defend South Korea and prevent the spread of communism in Asia. This event was a crucial flashpoint in the broader context of the Cold War, illustrating the intense geopolitical tensions of the era.