After V-J Day, on August 14, 1945, the Allies assumed control of all Japanese territory. This included the Korean peninsula, which was divided at the 38th parallel between the zones of Soviet and American occupation. Unable to reach an agreement over a government for Korea despite intervention from the United Nations, the country split in 1948 into democratic South Korea and communist North Korea. The Allied occupation of Japan lasted until 1952 and Japan became a democracy. The emperor's power was reduced to a purely symbolic figure holding no real power. It also forbade Japan from settling international disputes through war. Generally, the new Japanese government was welcome by the Japanese people who were eager for change.