The transition of the Soviet Union from its position as a primary ally against Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II to the main U.S. concern in connection with nuclear weapons took place largely over the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s in Korea. The Soviet Union, along with Japan, took over North Korea and turned it into a communist country. As the U.S. became concerned with Chinese influence over Asia, the decision was made to support Japan as a power in the area. The U.S.'s interest in South Korea was primarily due to its physical proximity to Japan. As the Soviets began to supply and support the Chinese and North Korean forces, U.S. President Harry Truman expressed concern over the future of the United Nations and the spread of communism.
Even though the U.N. Security Council approved forceful action in assisting South Korea of repelling the northern invaders, the U.S. committed only to air and naval forces. Truman and other American government officials feared that using ground troops in Korea would trigger the Soviet Union to act against the United States. Once assured that this was not the case by way of a June 27, 1950, communication from the U.S.S.R., Truman approved the use of American infantry soldiers.
The Soviet Union held a position that questioned the legitimacy of the U.N.'s resolutions, due to the membership of China as a different state from the newly-created Peoples Republic of China. By boycotting the meetings in which these issues were addressed, the Soviet Union established their position as the intention to inhibit any United Nations actions against North Korea or her supporters.
Even though the U.N. Security Council approved forceful action in assisting South Korea of repelling the northern invaders, the U.S. committed only to air and naval forces. Truman and other American government officials feared that using ground troops in Korea would trigger the Soviet Union to act against the United States. Once assured that this was not the case by way of a June 27, 1950, communication from the U.S.S.R., Truman approved the use of American infantry soldiers.
The Soviet Union held a position that questioned the legitimacy of the U.N.'s resolutions, due to the membership of China as a different state from the newly-created Peoples Republic of China. By boycotting the meetings in which these issues were addressed, the Soviet Union established their position as the intention to inhibit any United Nations actions against North Korea or her supporters.
My opinion on the role of the Soviet Union in the Korean War is that they were one of the most controlling and dangerous countries. They took over North Korea and changed it to a communist country. They pushed the North into battle against the South so they would also take over that area crossing the 38th Parallel. After WWII, the U.S. and the Soviet Union were still very much enemies and with them included in the war it only made things much worse. They were more out to get each other than the South and North were.