With the surrender of Japan that ended World War II in 1945, the Korean Peninsula became divided into two along the 38th parallel – the latitude that divides the two Koreas of today. Tensions rose after World War II between the Soviet Union, occupying the northern half of Korea, and America, occupying the southern half, in what is known as the Cold War. Negotiation between the two sides failed to result in a unified Korean Peninsula. The north was administered by the Soviet Union, and the south was administered by America. The South held a general election on 10 May 1948, after which the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was created. Kim Il-sung set up a Communist government, and became the leader of the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (North Korea) on 09 September 1948, with the support of the Soviet Union.
The Korean War broke out on 25 June 1950, when North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, attacked South Korea, supported mainly by the United States. A ceasefire was agreed on 27 July 1953, and a buffer, known as the Korean Demilitarized Zone, was created. The ceasefire continues to this day.
Many forms for traditional arts and crafts continue to be practiced on the Korean Peninsula. The North Korean state supports Communist propaganda artworks. The official Mansudae Art Studio produces much of this propaganda through performing arts, as well as visual arts, such as graphics and sculpture. South Korea, has set up various institutions and laws to protect Korean cultural heritage. Contemporary South Korean artists and designers, such as Do Ho Suh, are now in the global arts scene, and Korean diaspora artists, such as Nam June Paik from America, also have a presence on the international art stage.
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