What was a major consequence of the Korean War?

The creation of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was a significant consequence of the Korean War, which occurred from 1950 to 1953. The conflict resulted in a stalemate, ultimately leading to an armistice agreement rather than a formal peace treaty. This agreement established the DMZ as a buffer zone between North and South Korea, effectively dividing the Korean Peninsula into two separate countries along the 38th parallel. The DMZ remains one of the most fortified borders in the world and symbolically represents the lingering tensions and unresolved conflict between the two Koreas.

While other options mention important historical events or trends, they do not accurately reflect the specific outcomes of the Korean War. The unification of Korea, for example, did not occur; instead, the division solidified. Likewise, while the end of colonial rule was part of broader trends in post-World War II Asia, it was not a direct consequence of the Korean War. The establishment of communism in Japan is also inaccurate, as Japan did not fall to communism, but rather embraced a democratic government with strong U.S. support after the war.