金日成 李承晚 (1912-1994) (1875-1965)13.2 The Korean War (1950–1953) • In August 1945, the Soviet Union agreed to accept the surrender of the Japanese in Korea north of 38°North Latitude, the 38th Parallel 38th Parallel, and the United States was to accept the surrender below that line. • In May 1948, the South Koreans proclaimed the Republic of Korea in August 1948, and elected Syngman Rhee as their President, and the North Koreans formed the rival Democratic People’s Republic and chose as their leader the communist Kim Il–Sung