In August 1945, as World War II came to a close, the Allied powers sought to dismantle Japan's imperial authority in Asia, including Korea, which had been under Japanese rule since 1910. The urgency of the situation intensified when Soviet troops entered northern Korea shortly after the atomic bombings in Japan, aiming to claim territories. The United States, concerned about Soviet expansion in the region and the implications on East Asia stability, responded by sending troops to the southern part of Korea. On September 8, 1945, American forces arrived at the port city of Incheon, marking the beginning of a military governance regime that would manage the southern peninsula.As American and Soviet forces established their respective zones of influence along the 38th parallel, South Korea began to see the introduction of democratic structures, while North Korea moved towards a communist framework. Conflicts between the local governance styles led to widespread civil unrest and created a fragmented identity among Koreans, who were already grappling with their colonial past. The military presence of the United States fostered growing nationalistic sentiments within Korea, shaping future political movements and ultimately leading to a divergence in ideologies between the north and south. By the late 1940s, this division solidified into two distinct nations, each with contrasting governmental systems and aligning with opposing sides during the Cold War.The division of Korea not only affected the local populace but also had extensive implications on global politics. As the Cold War tensions elevated, Korea became a focal point of superpower rivalry, leading to the Korean War three years later. The partition laid a troubled foundation, evidenced by the longstanding military standoffs and political tensions that persist today, deeply influencing regional relationships and international strategy in East Asia.