the people of korea wanted to be independent. the united states and the soviet union agreed the people of korea would be free and independent. but soon the united states and soviet union were not friends and the cold war started. united states and soviet union refused to settle a deal. in 1948 the people in the south made an independent country called south korea (also called the republic of korea). the united states helped them. in 1948 the people in the north also made a country north korea (also called the dprk or democratic people's republic of korea). the soviet union helped north korea.