Overshadowed by the preceding, long and devastating Second World War, the Korean War became known to Canadian veterans as the "forgotten war". After Japan's defeat in World War II, Korea was divided into two parts, North Korea and South Korea. North Korea was occupied by the communist country of USSR while South Korea was controlled by the Americans and from other democratic nations. The war officially broke out on June 25, 1950, when the North Koreans attacked the country's division on the 38th parallel with their men and artillery in their wake. North Korea and its leaders wanted to unify the entire country from its division by taking South Korea under their rule. North Korea was allied with China and the Republic of Korea was supported by democratic nations. Although Canada did not send as many troops as the Americans, Canada played a vital role in the war, winning several major battles. The Korean War was significant for Canada because it demonstrated Canada's relationships with the United States and the United Nations and showcased its growing power among other nations. Canada participated in the Korean War due to its obligations to the United Nations, American influence, and Canada's initial misunderstanding of the war. The United Nations was founded shortly before the end of World War II when the League of Nations was deemed useless because it failed to prevent the outbreak of war. Canada was thus obligated to help the United Nations because they were part of it when it was formed. Canada, along with the “Big Five” and others, became one of the original members of the United Nations peacekeeping and peacekeeping organization. It has been stated that "Canada has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and peacekeeping, and has participated in almost every mission since its inception...... middle of paper ......a /war_conflect/cold_war /topics/274/ (accessed December 18, 2011).canadiansoldiers.com The Korea War December 11, 2011. http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/wars/koreanwar.htm (accessed December 18, 2011 ). .English, John. "Korean War." The Canadian Encyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004370 (accessed December 18, 2011). Manitoba 24 January 1951. http://www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/archives/canada_war/tribune/website/clippings/korea/Documents_on_the_Korean_Crisis1.shtml (accessed 18 December 2011). Canadian Participation in UN Peacekeeping - Chronology http://www.unac.org/peacekeeping/en/un-peacekeeping/fact-sheets/canadian-participation-in-un-peacekeepinga-chro/ (accessible). December 18, 2011).