The "38선," or the 38th parallel, is a circle of latitude that is 38 degrees north of the equator. It is significant in history as it served as the dividing line between North Korea and South Korea after World War II. In 1945, the Allies agreed to split Korea along this line to facilitate the surrender of Japanese forces. Following the Korean War (1950-1953), the 38th parallel became the basis for the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a buffer zone between the two countries. This area remains one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world, symbolizing the ongoing tensions between North Korea and South Korea.