The Thirty-Eighth Parallel North is a circle of latitude that is 38 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It runs across several countries, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea. This latitude is significant as it roughly divides the Korean Peninsula into North and South Korea, marking a key boundary during the Korean War. The parallel is often associated with geopolitical tensions, particularly between North Korea and South Korea. The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) lies near this latitude, serving as a buffer zone between the two nations. The Thirty-Eighth Parallel has become a symbol of division and conflict in the region.