Cold War Files: All Units: Events: Korea is Liberated from Japanese Rule

In Korea, the end of World War II brought both U.S. and Soviet forces into the Korean peninsula as occupying powers. The occupation of the country took place with a minimum of friction between the two forces. It soon became apparent, however, that the 38th parallel, intended only as a temporary military demarcation line, was considered by the Soviets to be a political boundary.

source: Britannica