The primary conflict between North Korea and South Korea, beginning in 1950, was the Korean War. It started when North Korea invaded South Korea, aiming to impose a communist regime over the entire Korean Peninsula. The war saw involvement from the United Nations, led by the United States, supporting South Korea, while China and the Soviet Union provided assistance to North Korea. The conflict led to significant casualties and destruction, ultimately resulting in a stalemate and the division of Korea along the 38th parallel, which remains to this day with enduring tensions.