Japan took control of Korea in 1910. At the end of WWII Japan had to give it up to the allies.The United States controlled South Korea and the Soviet Union got the land above the 38th parallel. ln 1947 the country was supposed to have free elections, but Russia would not let them. The U.S. let the people in South Korea set up their own government, the Republic of Korea. The U.S. left South Korea, but the new country got started. North Korea became the people's government with a communist government, with Russia telling them what to do. Five years after the end of World War II the United States became involved in a conflict in Korea. This "war" started in 1950 and ended in 1953. The first thing that happened was the Communist Korean forces invaded South Korea in a surprise attack. Next, the United States and the United Nations were sent to help South Korea. North Korea was helped by the Soviet Union and China. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, fell to North Korean forces. After this the U.S. blockaded the Korean coast and began to bomb North Korea. The U.S. ground troops, led by General MacArthur, landed in Inchon and pushed the North Korean Army out of Seoul. Throughout 1951, both sides advanced into each other's territory, but neither side could declare complete victory. After many losses the U.S. counter attacked the Chinese Communist Forces and recaptured Seoul. The U.S. drove enemy forces out of South Korea. In 1953 North Korea and South Korea signed a peace agreement or an armistice. The treaty said that the 38th parallel still divided Korea. The total casualties of this war were 1.5 million.