Seth Adler Where Are States Located? The world contained only 50 countries until the 1940s. Problems of Defining States State ? An area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government that has control over its internal and foreign affairs. The term ?country? is a synonym for ?state.? Sovereignty ? Being independent from control of its internal affairs by other states. Korea: One State or Two? Korea was split into 2 countries in the late 1940s after the US and Soviet Union defeated Japan in WWII. Divided along the 38o north latitude. The Democratic People?s Republic of Korea (North Korea) invaded the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in 1950. China and Taiwan: Once State or Two?