Answer :
Final answer:
The primary cause of the Korean War was North Korea's invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950. This invasion was a significant event influenced by the Cold War context and led to a large international military response. The war created lasting tensions on the Korean peninsula and resulted in a stalemate that persists to this day.
Explanation:
Primary Cause of the Korean War
The primary cause of the Korean War was North Korea's invasion of South Korea (B). The war began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel, the boundary separating North and South Korea, in a surprise attack. This invasion was influenced by the broader context of the Cold War, where the communist North was supported by the Soviet Union and the South was backed by the United States and other Western allies.
This military aggression led to an international response, as the United Nations intervened to support South Korea. The conflict escalated into a full-scale war that lasted until 1953, ending in an armistice but not a formal peace treaty.
Other Options Explained
- A) The assassination of a South Korean leader: While political tensions existed, this event did not directly initiate the war.
- C) The discovery of oil reserves in Korea: There is no historical basis for oil being a cause of the war.
- D) A territorial dispute over the Korean peninsula: Though territorial disputes were a factor, they were largely a consequence of the invasion rather than the primary cause.
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