The 38th Parallel is a circle of latitude that is 38 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It is significant for being the dividing line between North Korea and South Korea. After World War II, this line was established as a temporary boundary, leading to the division of the Korean Peninsula into two separate states. The division at the 38th Parallel became more pronounced after the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. The conflict solidified the separation, and the line remains a critical geopolitical boundary today, with the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) marking the area between the two countries.