The U.S. played a significant role in the Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953. Following North Korea's invasion of South Korea in June 1950, the U.S. intervened under the auspices of the United Nations, viewing the conflict as a critical front in the broader context of the Cold War. The U.S. led a multinational coalition that aimed to repel the North Korean forces, pushing them back past the 38th parallel. General Douglas MacArthur commanded U.S. and UN forces, achieving early success before a counteroffensive by China. The war ended in a stalemate, and an armistice was signed in 1953, leaving the Korean Peninsula divided.