Cold War tensions in East Asia emerged primarily due to the Korean War, which began in 1950 as North Korea invaded South Korea. This conflict illustrated the ideological struggle between communism and capitalism, with the U.S. supporting South Korea and China and the Soviet Union backing North Korea. The war solidified the division of Korea, cultivating an ongoing military standoff that persists today. Additionally, the Vietnam War further fueled Cold War dynamics in the region, as North Vietnam sought to spread communism, leading to U.S. intervention. These tensions impacted regional security and influenced U.S. foreign policy in Asia.