the war (1950-53) between the Korean People's Democratic Republic (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea), which ended in an inconclusive cease-fire: the U.S. and other United Nations countries participated on the side of South Korea
See Korean War in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A conflict that lasted from 1950 to 1953 between North Korea, aided by China, and South Korea, aided by United Nations forces consisting primarily of U.S. troops.