The land of the morning calm, that's what Korea was called many years ago. Unfortunately, circumstances have changed. Korea is now no longer a single country but is divided into two parts; North Korea and South Korea. Korea has been united as one country for many years. Japan took control of Korea and made it part of its empire. After World War II, Japan was defeated and its empire fell. Korea was left without a leader or system of government. This prompted US troops to occupy the southern half and Soviet troops to occupy the northern half. The United States and its allies favored a democratic government, while the Soviet Union and China favored a communist system of government. June 25, 1950 marked the day that fighting between the North and South Koreans began. 135,000 North Korean soldiers crossed the border into South Korea while others attacked by sea. Within several hours, North Korea had successfully captured the South Korean city of Kaesong, and within the next two hours, South Korea's capital, Seoul, was under attack. Things were not going well for Korea. The Korean War is often called the “Forgotten War” because it is not often mentioned and is often argued to be meaningless and unnecessary. However, the Korean War was significant in shaping Canada's military and foreign policy. It has transformed us into a peaceful nation that cares about the well-being of people in foreign countries. The way we deal with future conflicts has also changed. Canada would no longer be involved as a British colony or as a single country, but rather under the aegis of the United Nations. We showed ourselves as leaders and role models. In the Korean War, Canada asserted itself as a world power but under the...... middle of paper ...... Association of Canada Inc. http://www.kvacanada.com/canadians_in_the_korean_war.htm(Nov 15 2010) “Canadians in Korea, 1950 – 1953”. Veterans Affairs Canada. October 20, 2008.Canada. http://www.korean-war.com/canada.html(November 21, 2010) “Chronology of the Canadian Advance into Korea.” Veterans Affairs Canada.June 15, 2008. Canada. http://www.vacacc.gc.ca/REMEMBERS/sub.cfm?source=history/KoreaWar/chronology(November 23, 2010) “Facts about Canada's involvement in the Korean War.” Veterans Affairs Canada.October 21, 1999. Canada. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/youth/sub.cfm?source=teach_resources/korfact(November 20, 2010) “The Answer – The Canadian Contribution.” Native Soldiers - Foreign Battlefields.June 30, 2005. Veterans Affairs Canada. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=history/other/native/korea_response(Nov 20. 2010)