North Korea and South Korea are two countries located on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. They were divided in 1945 after World War II, leading to the establishment of North Korea as a communist state and South Korea as a democratic republic. The division was solidified by the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, which ended in an armistice but not a formal peace treaty. North Korea is known for its strict government control and limited freedoms, while South Korea has a vibrant economy and a democratic political system. Both countries share a common culture and history but have developed very different societies over the decades.