The Korean War is also known as the “Fatherland Liberation War” that lasted between June 25, 1950, and July 27, 1953. The war broke as a disagreement over boundaries between North and South Korea. The United Nations forces led by the US fought for the South while China and the Soviet Union fought for the North. The war is said to be the cause of global tensions of the Cold War that broke after its ending. Japan is highly linked with the Korean War as it had ruled the country from 1910 until the end of World War II (Soames 76).
The Soviet Union declared war on Japan in August 1945 and occupied the North Korean region. The US occupied the southern side, which pressured Japan into surrendering. Consequently, two governments had been established on either side of Korea, and each claimed its legitimacy. Neither of the two governments accepted the border as permanent, which escalated tension leading to the invasion of the South by the North on June 25, 1950. However, a permanent peace deal was not made and thus the two sides are technically at war even in the present times.
On the other hand, the Vietnam War, which is also known as the Resistance War against the US, broke out in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from November 1, 1955, and lasted until April 30, 1975. It is known as the war between communism and capitalism. The communist China and the Soviet Union supported the northern Vietnam while the US and the Philippines supported the southern region. The war ended with the withdrawal of the US forces from Vietnam after massive pressure from the Americans who cited wastage of resources on unnecessary war engagement (Soames 90).
Works Cited
Soames, John. A History of the World, New York: Routledge, 2005. Print.