<P> The Korean conflict is based on the division between the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea in the north and the Republic of Korea in the south , both of which claim to be the government of the whole country . During the Cold War , North Korea was backed by the Soviet Union , China , and other communist states , and South Korea was backed by the United States and its allies . The division of Korea occurred at the end of World War II in 1945 . Tensions erupted into the Korean War in 1950 . </P>
what is the conflict between south and north korea
the division between the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea in the north and the Republic of Korea in the south , both of which claim to be the government of the whole country